Defending champions National University Bulldogs continued its hot streak, clinching its 20th consecutive win and their second one of the season, sweeping University of Santo Tomas, 5-0, Saturday morning at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Last season’s Rookie of the Year Keeyan Gabuelo started the rout with 21-10, 21-17 win over Criz Sanchez.
Gabuelo cruised past the Thomasian in the opening game using a variety of shots.
In the following game, the second-year Bulldog pushed the lead to 10-3. Sanchez, however, kept it close and cut it to one, 16-17, as NU committed errors.
Gabuelo eventually closed out the game and the match on well-placed shot.
Roslee Pedrosa pushed it to a two-match advantage as he defeated Mark Sotea in a pair of 21-10 victories in the second singles match.
In the first game, the former ROY emerged from a tight opening before dominating with 10 straight points to put the frame out of reach. Pedrosa used this momentum to open the second game and did not look back to consequently close out the match.
Mike Minuluan and Alem Palmares started strong in both games of the first doubles match. UST’s Paul Pantig and John Reyes then climbed back in the match with better rotation.
The NU duo, however, kept their control of the rallies in either frame. Minuluan ended the match and clinched the tie with a powerful smash.
Alvin Morada and Pedrosa took the second doubles match in two games, 21-16, 21-8, over Sanchez and Sotea. Then, Morada finished off the sweep with a three-game win over Pantig, 21-9, 16-21, 21-13.
