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 the Philippines, securing their spot in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Badminton Final on Friday at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center.
The Bulldogs needed the heroics of the country’s no. 2 men’s singles player, Mark Velasco, to keep their eight-peat dreams alive.
The Smash Pilipinas standout brushed off the challenge of Fighting Maroons’ rookie Johann Abinales, winning 21-9, 21-6 and completing the reversal that began with the side’s dependable doubles pairs.
NU will face Ateneo, a 3-0 winner over the University of Santo Tomas in the other semifinal matchup, in the championship tie at 8 a.m. on Sunday.
During the eliminations, it was the Blue Eagles who ended the Bulldogs’ remarkable 60-tie winning streak last Wednesday.
“Hindi namin inisip ‘yung naging talo namin. Ang ginawa lang namin ay naghilahan lang kami pataas, at tinulak lang namin mga sarili namin na gawin ‘yung tama,” the second-year Bulldog said.
UP almost pulled off another upset against the titleholders after taking a substantial 2-0 lead with Kervin Llanes and Jelo Albo handling the first two singles matches.
Second-year upstart Llanes made short work of Miko Mosarbas, winning 21-13, 21-8, before the national team standout Albo took care of MJ Perez, winning 21-12, 21-10.
With the season and the dynasty on the line, the Bulldogs turned to their doubles tandems to turn the tie around.
Julius Villabrille and James Villarante denied Michael Clemente and Llanes the first doubles clincher, winning 22-20, 21-11, before captain Solomon Padiz Jr. and Perez set up the dramatic finish with a 21-14, 21-15 stunner over the erstwhile-undefeated duo of Albo and Jason Vanzuela.
Captain Arthur Salvado Jr. got the better of his opposite number Lennox Cuilao in their two meetings to send the top-seeded Blue Eagles into the final.
“The win (against NU) really helped. We’re hoping the team will continue to improve and be ready for the Finals,” Ateneo head coach Kennie Asuncion said.
The third-year standout and rookie Lance Vargas denied Cuilao and Janzen Panisales in the lone doubles rubber, winning 21-15, 21-19, following up his 21-15, 21-14 clinic against Cuilao in the opening singles match.
Lyrden Laborte put Ateneo at a 2-0 advantage with a 21-8, 18-21, 21-9 victory over Sean Dela Cruz to set up the rout.
The Fighting Maroons and the Tiger Shuttlers will face each other for the bronze on Sunday.
