National University captured the inaugural UAAP Men’s Badminton Team Event title under the new format after a masterful 3–1 rout of Ateneo de Manila University in the Final on Wednesday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The Bulldogs moved a step closer to redemption with the team title, as they are also favored to dominate the individual competitions, led by Clarence Villaflor in the singles event.
“Magandang momentum to sa ‘min, ‘tong championship sa team event, heading into the individual competitions. So far, thankful kami kay Lord na binigay niya sa ‘min ‘to. As a team captain, sobrang happy ko sa mga teammates ko sa nilaro nila,” said NU graduating senior Lanz Zafra.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
John Benedict Gam and Jacinth Paul Ruedas bounced back from the defeat suffered by NU’s first doubles pair, turning back reigning MVP Lyrden Laborte and Allen Penute, 21–19, 21–14, in an action-packed 44-minute tussle.
In a tightly contested opening game, Ruedas displayed maturity beyond his years despite being a rookie, executing effective drop shots near the net on Ateneo’s side, including the return that helped NU gain the upper hand.
The Bulldogs capitalized on that momentum after trailing 10–11 at the second interval. Ruedas and Gam eventually built a 14–11 cushion with well-placed shots, but the Blue Eagles responded with two consecutive points to cut the deficit to one, 14–15.
That, however, proved to be Ateneo’s final push, as the Bulldogs capitalized on their opponents’ errors to reach match point. A well-placed serve from Ruedas was all NU needed, as Laborte sent his return wide to hand the Bulldogs the decisive point and the championship.
The league will award the overall title at the conclusion of the tournament on Tuesday, November 3, taking into account the performances and points accumulated across the three events: team, singles, and doubles.
NU heads into the individual competitions with 15 points, ahead of Ateneo’s 12.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Team captains Zafra and Villaflor then gave the Bulldogs a commanding 2–0 lead with clinical victories over Rolan De Guzman and Wijel Albo, respectively, in the singles matches.
Zafra needed just 30 minutes to dispatch rookie De Guzman, 21–7, 21–9, while Villaflor cruised past Albo, 21–9, 21–13.
Ateneo salvaged a point as captains Robby Ramos and Lance Vargas outlasted John Vincent Lanuza and MJ Perez, 21–17, 16–21, 21–7, in a 57-minute marathon. However, that was the only point the defending champions could muster in the Final.
With the country’s top-ranked shuttler Villaflor leading the way and Zafra bringing his experience as a former national athlete, NU is also tipped to contend for the singles titles. Still, the Bulldogs skipper wants his team to carry its momentum into the individual competitions, which begin on Friday.
“Malaking boost to sa ‘min kasi malaki rin naging adjustment namin sa drift ng hangin. So sana makuha rin po namin nila Clarence ‘yung individual po,” the 25-year-old Zafra shared.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, Jerard Borgador secured not only his first-ever UAAP victory but also clinched the team bronze for the University of the Philippines with a 3–2 win over the University of Santo Tomas.
The UAAP newcomer overcame a slow start to complete a 16–21, 21–16, 21–16 comeback victory over Ivan Tuazon in the deciding singles match, sealing the bronze for the Fighting Maroons.
UP had to recover after surrendering its early 1–0 lead to complete the comeback victory.
Captain Shan Clar put the Fighting Maroons ahead with a 21–14, 21–10 win over Aaron Bedaña. However, Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza leveled the tie for UST with a 21–18, 22–20 victory over John Vincent Espinoza and Manuel Fulmentera.
The Golden Shuttlers then erased their early deficit as rookie Clark Brillantes edged Josh Dupet, 30–29, 21–16, in a thrilling encounter. Ron Galve and Bien Miraflor followed suit, giving UST a 2–1 lead with a 16–21, 21–17, 21–17 victory over MJ Amerodin and Kian Cruz.
Borgador ultimately restored order for UP, completing the comeback and securing the bronze medal for the Fighting Maroons.
UP enters the individual competitions with 10 points, while UST sits just behind with eight.
De La Salle University and Adamson University round out the standings with six and four points, respectively.
