National University reaffirmed its dominance in UAAP men’s badminton, capturing its record-extending 10th overall championship following the conclusion of the inaugural three-event format on Tuesday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The Bulldogs amassed a maximum 25.875 points to secure the men’s overall crown, capping an impressive campaign highlighted by a near-sweep of the gold medals in the team event, a 1–2 finish in singles, and a silver-medal showing in doubles.
“Doble ‘yung saya na nakuha namin ‘tong overall championship; malaking tulong talaga ‘yung naging panalo namin sa team event,” said graduating team captain Lanz Zafra. “After nung team event, kumain lang talaga kami sa labas, nag-rest, and then, focus uli.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
With his collegiate career coming to a close, Zafra hopes the championship squad can sustain its success, especially with the team set to lose only his services next season.
“Itong legacy na iniwan ko sa NU, sana maging momentum para sa kanila para magtuloy-tuloy ‘yung championship. Kampante akong kaya pa rin nila next year at mas lalo pa nilang gagalingan,” he said.
Newly-crowned men’s Season MVP Clarence Villaflor spearheaded NU’s campaign in the singles event, defeating Zafra in an all-Bulldogs final, 24–22, 21–12, to secure another gold medal for the 10-time champions.
“Dream come true din talaga na makalaro sa UAAP. Natupad rin namin ng mga coaches at natupad ng team namin ‘yung goal naming this season. Hindi rin ako mananalo kung hindi dahil sa kanila. Sobrang happy and grateful lang talaga kami,” said Villaflor.
“Yung UAAP rin talaga is isa sa pinakamalaking tournaments sa bansa, and isang malaking bagay ‘yung ma-represent ‘yung school namin. Bonus na lang nakuha ko ‘tong MVP, pero sobrang happy ko na nakuha namin ‘tong championship this season,” added the Smash Pilipinas standout.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Ateneo de Manila University finished second in the overall standings with 20.7 points, highlighted by its historic first men’s doubles championship courtesy of last season’s MVP Lyrden Laborte and co-captain Robby Ramos.
The duo prevented an NU sweep of the individual gold medals, defeating Bulldogs Ben Dictado and John Benedict Gam, 21–13, 21–15, in 30 minutes.
University of the Philippines completed the men’s overall podium with 17.25 points after finishing third in the team event. Shan Clar secured a bronze in singles, while Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza also settled for third place in doubles.
Under the new three-event format, the league determined the overall champion by combining each school’s points from the team event and individual competitions. The gold medalist in the team event received 15 points, while the silver and bronze medalists earned 12 and 10 points, respectively.
For singles and doubles, the gold medalist received 10 points, the runner-up earned six, the semifinalists collected four, and the quarterfinalists received two. A maximum of two singles and two doubles results counted toward each school’s overall tally.
