Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Badminton

Alvin Morada, NU inch closer to 5th straight title


They may be the strongest adversity the Bulldogs have faced in the last five years, but the reigning four-time champions National University showed poise against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Alvin Morada dominated Michael Clemente in the deciding singles match as the Bulldogs subdued the challenge of the Fighting Maroons, 3-2, to stand on the cusp of a fifth consecutive title, Wednesday morning at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.

The Diliman-based side opened the day on the board as third-year stalwart JM Bernardo took a measure of revenge against former MVP Ros Pedrosa in the first singles match. The Maroon pulled away from a tight opening game and overhauled an 8-11 deficit to steal the frame at 21-16. Nonetheless, the second game was totally different as after a huge 11-4 start, there was no turning back for Bernardo ending the match at 21-14.

The Bulldogs then snagged the advantage and moved a match away from clinching the tie.

Mike Minuluan had to fend off the inspired start of UP rookie Kyle Legaspi to pull one back for National U. Legaspi took the initiative at 11-8 at the first-game interval, before errors piled up and gave way for Minuluan. The leftie from Bustillos then used this momentum in the second set, coming up with spectacular returns to stop his newbie opponent at 21-15, 21-8.

The first doubles match was a tussle at the start of either set, as UP rookie Harvey Tungul and super senior Betong Pineda kept in step with Bulldogs Alem Palmares and Morada. However, when the tide turned the Gold and Blue’s way, it was a one-way traffic. The seasoned duo from made quick work of their rookie-veteran opponents with a swift 21-11, 21-14 score line.

#ReadMore  Parks helps Nagoya get past Mikawa in B.League

Despite the lead, the Maroons were optimistic they could turn this around with their captains Bernardo and Vinci Manuel on deck.

Their determination was rewarded with an equalizer, as the first-time doubles partners showed up in another stellar match. The Fighting Maroons versus the Bulldogs duo Minuluan and Pedrosa turned into a battle royale with exchange of good placement and power shots alternating, leading to long rallies. The seniors from the NU side tried to close out the tie, only for their counterparts to reach game points and match points in the sets. UP eventually took the tie at 21-17, 21-19.

The scenario led to the heroics of the last year’s top player Morada.

With so much experience on hand, the fifth-year standout set his mind and focused on the game.

“Siyempre kailangan pagdating mo sa court, confident ka. Dagdag-panakot sa kalaban ‘yun. At the same time, pambawas kaba sa ‘yo,” the national team standout said.

With his composed approach, Morada cruised to the third singles match with relative ease and sent National U to the brink of yet another season sweep. There were moments of brilliance from the younger Clemente, but Morada’s advantage was too much to overcome for the second-year Maroon. The match ended at 21-15, 21-14.

The Bulldogs captain was not expecting it would go down to his match, but still knew the Maroons had it in them to bounce back.

“Hindi naman sa pag-aano, hindi ko in-expect na aabot pa sa’kin. Pero pinaghandaan kasi namin ‘tong UP. Alam namin babawi sila,” he added.

#ReadMore  B.League: Dwight Ramos, Toyama handed back-to-back routs by Utsunomiya

With UAAP careers in the twilight for five National U Bulldogs – Morada, Pedrosa, Minuluan, Palmares, and Dawn Cuyno – the UAAP 80 MVP vowed they would play with their all on Friday.

“Since last na naming lima, ibubuhos na namin lahat para manalo sa Friday.”

National U will shoot for their fifth straight season sweep and the consequent championship as they battle State U once more on October 12 at 8 am.

Grew to appreciate various sports from tennis to judo. True-maroon kiddo since the new millennium. Fanboy. Singer. Occasional sports writer.


You May Also Like

Badminton

The latter half of 2023 and early 2024 were challenging times for Mark Velasco in his badminton career. Injuries and self-doubt plagued the Smash...

Badminton

Lanz Zafra had an outstanding rookie season with National University, contributing to the school’s seventh consecutive championship and earning the Most Valuable Player award....

ADMU

National University reclaimed the UAAP Men’s Badminton crown in dominant fashion, sweeping defending champion Ateneo De Manila University, 3-0, in the Season 87 Final...

ADMU

Ateneo and National University are set to meet for a fourth straight UAAP Men’s Badminton Finals showdown after prevailing over their semifinals opponents in...

ADMU

National University completed a 5-0 sweep of the qualifying round, securing the top seed in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Badminton Tournament with a...

ADMU

ATENEO DE MANILA and National University maintained their perfect 4-0 records in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Badminton Tournament following contrasting victories on Saturday...

Badminton

Coming from successful stints in the age-group ranks, much is expected from athletes like Shan Clar at the higher level. However, for this young...

ADMU

UAAP Season 86 finalists Ateneo de Manila University and National University secured the first two spots in this season’s Men’s Badminton Tournament Final Four,...

Advertisement