NATIONAL University jumpstarted its back-to-back title bid in style, dominating Adamson University, 4-1, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Badminton Tournament, Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Malate, Manila.
Even without two key players from last year’s championship run—Mark Velasco and Solomon Padiz Jr.—the Bulldogs relied on familiar firepower.
Former national team standout James Villarante led the charge, helping NU grab an early share of the lead.
The fourth-year stalwart from San Sebastian High School paired with John Benedict Gam to secure a hard-fought 21-14, 21-17 victory over Gabrielle Ganoy and Noel Hernandez Jr., giving NU its opening tie.
“Expected ko naman ‘yan na ‘yung mga matatagal nang maglaro, mag-pe-perform talaga sila. Even though, nakita ko na nahirapan silang mag-adjust. Actually, lahat naman sila, kahit ibang schools nahirapan,” said NU head coach Jaime Llanes.
“So, sinabi ko lang sa mga boys na parehas lang naman tayo ng nararamdaman, kaya hindi siya pwedeng gawing dahilan kaya hindi kami nakakapaglaro nang maayos. OK naman so far, pero I expect na ‘pag naglaro sila tomorrow, mas adjusted na sila.”
The Bulldogs leaned on reigning MVP Lanz Zafra and MJ Perez, who swept the first two singles matches for a 2-0 cushion.
Zafra dominated Kyrik Roldan, 21-8, 21-6, while Perez overcame rookie John Russel Oliveros, 21-19, 21-12.
In the second doubles match, Zafra and Miko Mosarbas went the distance but secured a 4-0 lead over Oliveros and Nathan Acedillo, 21-13, 19-21, 21-8. Acedillo prevented a shutout, edging rookie Ben Dictado, 21-18, 16-21, 21-19.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Fellow title favorites Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines also opened strong, posting similar routs against De La Salle University (5-0) and University of Santo Tomas (4-1), respectively.
For the Blue Eagles, Arthur Salvado Jr. and Lance Vargas clinched a tight first doubles match against Green Shuttlers Yuan Tan and Joshua Morado, 21-18, 22-20.
Returning Kervin Llanes and rookie Ryan Mendoza needed three games to defeat Janzen Panisales and John Vincent Espinoza, 21-15, 13-21, 21-13, pulling the Fighting Maroons into a triple tie at the top.
Robbie Ramos and Lyrden Laborte set the tone for Ateneo in the first two rubbers.
Ramos cruised past James Capin, 21-11, 21-12, while Laborte overcame Miguel Cuarte, 21-19, 21-14. The pair then secured a 4-0 advantage with a 21-12, 21-14 win over Zaki Layno and Cuarte in the second doubles, and Vargas completed the sweep with a gritty win over Lovic Javier, 21-18, 21-15.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Shan Clar and Jelo Albo gave UP a 2-0 lead.
Clar, last year’s Rookie of the Year, beat JM Sison, 21-12, 21-11, while Albo dispatched UST captain Angelo Tuazon in just 26 minutes, 21-7, 21-8.
Ron Galve and Bien Miraflor claimed one for the Golden Shuttlers, winning 16-21, 23-21, 21-16 against Arjay Lazareto and Mark Anthony Bernal.
Llanes then sealed the tie for UP with a 21-12, 21-12 rout of Lennox Cuilao.
The Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons will face off in an early clash of title favorites on Sunday at 8 a.m. at the same Malate venue.
NU will aim for a second straight win against De La Salle, while UST and Adamson will battle for their first victory of the season, also starting at 8 a.m.
