Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

ADMU

Thirdy Bacalso outlasts Bagasbas in decider as NU inches closer to sixth title


Defending five-time champions National University leaned on the heroics of Thirdy Bacalso to clinch Tie 1 of the best-of-three Finals over Ateneo, 3-2, Friday afternoon at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center. 

The former FEU Tamaraw had to fend off the late surge from Ateneo captain Fides Bagasbas in the third singles match to win in three games, 21-14, 20-22, 21-16.

NU drew first blood after Keeyan Gabuelo stopped Arthur Salvado’s impressive run with a 21-16, 21-14 triumph. Rookies James Villarante and Julius Villabrille then swept Geno Cariño and Bagasbas to snare back the lead at 2-1, 21-12, 21-11.

Keoni Asuncion went two-of-two after dealing newbie Solomon Padiz, Jr. the latter’s first loss of the season, 21-19, 23-25, 21-14. The former Rookie of the Year and Salvado then outlasted Gabuelo and Padiz to force the decider, 21-18, 21-19.

“Alam ko may pressure sa mga players ko,” Bulldogs head coach Jaime Llanes admitted. “Pero happy ako na nag-deliver yung third singles ko kahit na dikit yung scores.”

Llanes wanted his players to be extra motivated to get the sixth-straight title tomorrow. “Kaunting motivation pa sa players ko kasi we all know karamihan diyan rookies. Hindi sila sanay sa pressure.”

De La Salle bagged the bronze medal playoff after Andrew Pineda bucked fatigue and swept the last two matches to give the Green Shuttlers a 3-2 win over the UP Fighting Maroons.

The senior Green Shuttler and Eljee Pineda dealt graduating UP standout Vinci Manuel and Jason Vanzuela a 21-12, 21-17 defeat in the second doubles match. He then ran roughshod of Jacob Tercias at 21-17, 21-6 to claim the bronze.

#ReadMore  Angela Lee not focused on Denice Zamboanga even after fiery exchanges

Bernardo leveled the tie for La Salle, edging out Kyle Legaspi at 18-21, 21-19, 21-16 in the second singles match.

JM Bernardo closed his fourth year in the league with two wins, dominating over Jan Mangubat in the first singles match at 21-18, 21-3. He then teamed uup with Harvey Tungul to overwhelm Mangubat and Bernardo, 21-12, 21-18, in the first doubles rubber.

NU go for the clincher tomorrow at 8 a.m. at the PNP Sports Center Badminton Courts.

Written By


You May Also Like

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University had a chance for payback against then six-time UAAP men’s badminton champion National University in Season 85, but the latter...

ADMU

After ending National University’s 60-tie winning streak last Wednesday, Ateneo de Manila University made sure to finish the job four days later. Behind a...

ADMU

NATIONAL University relied on its doubles pairs before Mark Velasco dominated in the decider to complete a massive 3-2 reverse sweep of University of...

ADMU

The longest active winning streak in the UAAP has been broken. Ateneo de Manila University halted the run of the reigning seven-time UAAP Men’s...

ADMU

National University extended the UAAP’s longest current winning streak to 60 by defeating fellow semifinalist University of the Philippines, 3-2, on Sunday at the...

ADMU

ATENEO de Manila University and National University secured the first two spots in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Badminton Final Four in a similar...

ADMU

Defending, seven-time champion National University and University of the Philippines turned down their respective foes to secure two of the Final Four berths in...

ADMU

University of the Philippines secured a share of the lead in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Badminton tournament after clinching a 3-2 victory over...

Advertisement