De La Salle University forced a three-way tie for the last Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Badminton Tournament after defeating the University of Santo Tomas, 4-1, on the final day of the qualifying round, Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Malate, Manila.
Third-year Green Shuttler Miguel Cuarte redeemed himself from his earlier singles loss to Golden Shuttler Lennox Cuilao, teaming up with Zaki Layno to secure the tie-clinching victory.
The duo outlasted John Vincent Espinoza and Janzen Panisales in a thrilling 21-18, 22-20 finish during the second doubles match.
With the result, De La Salle claimed the fourth ranking after the qualifiers and a first-round playoff bye, edging out both UST and Adamson University via match wins.
The Soaring Falcons lost to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on the other court via a 5-0 sweep.
The Golden Shuttlers and the Soaring Falcons will face off in a one-match playoff on Sunday at 8:00 AM.
The winner will earn the right to battle the Green Shuttlers for the final semifinal spot on Monday, also at 8:00 AM.
“Actually, hindi ko sinabi sa players kasi ayaw ko rin silang bigyan ng added pressure. Ang sinabi ko lang sa kanila, ‘Nasa inyo kung gusto niyong magpahinga na tayo o ilaban natin ‘to para sa triple tie. Basta ako, laro lang kayo and be patient,’” said longtime De La Salle head coach Owen Lopez.
“Nung umaga pa lang, panay send na ako sa kanila ng motivational messages. Minsan, hindi mo kailangang pagalitan ang players — kailangan mo lang i-remind na as a player, dapat marunong kang i-handle ang pressure.”
Rookie Lovic Javier set the tone for De La Salle with a dominant 21-6, 21-10 win over fellow newcomer JM Sison. Then Cuilao leveled the score for UST with a hard-fought 18-21, 21-19, 22-20 comeback against Cuarte.
That would be the Golden Shuttlers’ final point of the tie.
Seniors Joshua Morada and Yuan Tan regained the lead for De La Salle with a 15-21, 21-18, 21-17 victory over Ron Galve and Bien Miraflor, paving the way for Cuarte’s redemption in doubles play and the team’s clinching win.
James Capin then sealed the 4-1 result with a commanding 21-14, 21-11 triumph over UST captain Angelo Tuazon.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Over at the other court, Fighting Maroon Shan Clar bounced back from his previous loss with a solid 21-14, 21-10 win over Kyrik Roldan, followed by Jelo Albo’s 21-5, 21-15 demolition of John Russel Oliveros.
Newcomers Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza also made their mark, taking down Acedillo and Oliveros, 21-10, 21-12, in just 31 minutes to clinch UP’s third win and the ticket to the Final Four.
With the tie secured, Albo partnered with Mark Bernal to dispatch Noel Hernandez Jr. and Gabrielle Ganoy, 21-15, 21-19, while Kervin Llanes sealed the sweep after a 41-minute 21-18, 21-18 battle against Nathaniel Acedillo.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University completed a perfect sweep of the qualifying round, toppling defending champion National University, 4-1.
Rookie JR Pandi set the tone for the Blue Eagles with a stunning 21-8, 21-17 victory over reigning MVP Lanz Zafra in the opening singles match.
Pandi’s performance sparked a dominant showing for Ateneo as Lyrden Laborte doubled the lead with a 21-5, 21-12 win over MJ Perez.
NU momentarily struck back through John Benedict Gam and James Villarante, who prevailed over Pandi and Lance Vargas, 21-19, 21-13, in the first doubles match.
However, Laborte and Robby Ramos quickly sealed the overall win for Ateneo with a 21-14, 21-11 victory against Perez and Zafra.
Vargas capped the day in style, dismantling Miko Mosarbas, 21-8, 21-9, to preserve Ateneo’s unblemished record.
