Clarence Villaflor and Lanz Zafra ensured that the inaugural UAAP men’s singles badminton title would remain with National University after dispatching their respective opponents in the Season 89 individual events semifinals on Monday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
Villaflor, the country’s top-ranked shuttler, overcame a challenging opening game to defeat Ateneo de Manila University’s Lance Vargas, 21–18, 21–12, in 40 minutes. Zafra, the Bulldogs’ team captain, likewise weathered the challenge of University of the Philippines’ Shan Clar, winning 21–17, 21–14, in 35 minutes.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The two NU standouts will face each other for a place in history in the gold medal match scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday.
The all-NU final also virtually secured the Bulldogs the inaugural UAAP badminton championship under the three-event format, having already claimed the gold medal in the team competition.
NU is assured of a maximum total of 20.875 points, with 15 coming from its team gold and 10.875 from its standing in the combined singles and doubles competitions.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Ben Dictado and John Benedict Gam, meanwhile, kept the Bulldogs in contention for a sweep after rallying past Fighting Maroons Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza, 12–21, 21–19, 21–13, in the men’s doubles semifinals.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The NU pair will face Ateneo’s Lyrden Laborte and Robby Ramos, who defeated De La Salle University’s Karl Contreras and Gift Linaban, 21–17, 21–17, in the other semifinal. The gold medal match is set for 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday.
On the women’s side, UP secured its place as the top-ranked university in the individual events after booking a spot in both the singles and doubles finals.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Brys Fuggan dominated Adamson University’s Roshella Quierez, 21–12, 21–13, to move within a win of the inaugural UAAP women’s singles gold medal.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, seniors Kimberly Lao and Susmita Ramos needed an hour and 15 minutes to outlast Ateneo’s Althea Hernandez and Angel Valle, 18–21, 21–13, 21–15, in the women’s doubles semifinals.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Fuggan will face Sab Amora, who is set to make her final UAAP appearance, in the gold medal match at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. The graduating NU senior and team captain advanced to the final after defeating UP’s Anthea Gonzalez, 21–18, 21–16, in 43 minutes.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Lao and Ramos, meanwhile, will take on Adamson rookies Mary Untal and Jasmine Reformina for the women’s doubles title at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Untal and Reformina earned their place in the final by rallying past Ateneo’s other pair, Daena Castro and Andrea Hernandez, 18–21, 21–9, 21–17.
