Defending champions National University Bulldogs team captain Alvin Morada has consistently talked of one thing: taking their fourth straight title.
And after a stunning turn of events, Sunday morning the now-five time UAAP champions did just that.
Sweeps were the name of the day for the Bulldogs, as they finished off challengers University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in just the required three matches, en route to their 35th consecutive tie win dating back from their second title in UAAP Season 77.
The biggest story of the day was Mike Minuluan’s shocking upset of JM Bernardo.
The usual “sure point” of the Fighting Maroons suffered his first loss in his UAAP career, giving way to the third-year Bulldog, who put his squad in the pivotal lead. Minuluan took the match in three games at 13-21, 21-17, 21-10.
The win, nonetheless, did not come as a surprise for Morada.
“May tiwala naman kami kay Mike,” the UAAP 77 Rookie of the Year started, “Siguro nung mga first games nag-aadjust pa siya.
However, with the win, the NU skipper knew that,”Sa amin na ito!”
And from there, the eventual-season Most Valuable Player strutted his wares.
Morada played exceptionally in the second singles match and stopped Vinci Manuel in just two sets. It was a swift opening set, but the third-year Maroon was able to come back late in the second. Nonetheless, it was too late, and the Bulldog just finished it off with a composed kill. The season’s top player packed up the match at 21-12, 21-16.
After a brief rest, the NU captain linked up with Alem Palmares in the day’s lone doubles match. Graduating UP skipper and Bernardo made it tough for the Bulldogs throughout the contest. However, with the championship experience and composed play, the Bulldogs sealed their fourth straight title with a 21-17, 21-14 finish.
“Masaya, sobrang saya po,” said the national team stalwart of the feat, “Kasi po kami pinakamalit na school, pero sa badminton po kami makikilala.”
National U and State U are now tied with the most number of men’s badminton titles at five after the conclusion of their season.
