National University’s Lanz Zafra made his case for the inaugural UAAP men’s badminton singles title, grinding out a 21–14, 15–21, 21–14 victory over Ateneo de Manila University’s Zeth Quiambao in the quarterfinals on Saturday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The graduating captain needed an hour and 16 minutes to book his place in the semifinals, acknowledging that he had to adjust to the introduction of individual events in the UAAP badminton tournament during the final playing year of his collegiate career.
“Inisip ko lang na last playing year ko; swerte ako nakapag-individual pa ko. So, sinusulit ko lang, and it’s for NU, at sana makapag-ambag pa ko ng points para sa overall championship,” said the two-time UAAP MVP.
“Malaking bagay ‘yung bye sa ‘kin kanina kasi iniisip natin Undas na pero may laro pa, so ‘yung isip nakaka-relax. Lalo na, hindi kami sanay na may individuals, kasi dati after team event or tournament, normally, kanya-kanyang gimik na ‘yan. So, kami ngayon, imbes na gumimik at mag-celebrate, kumain lang sa labas, and then balik uli sa focus,” Zafra added.
The former Smash Pilipinas standout will face University of the Philippines’ Shan Clar in the semifinals on Monday, November 2, at 1 p.m.
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Clar, the Season 87 Rookie of the Year, displayed composure in dispatching Adamson University’s newcomer Steveric Muring in 32 minutes, 21–17, 21–16.
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On the other side of the draw, Clarence Villaflor secured NU’s second semifinal berth with a dominant victory over De La Salle University’s Lovic Javier. The country’s current top-ranked shuttler cruised to a 21–13, 21–7 win over last season’s top freshman.
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Villaflor will take on Ateneo skipper Lance Vargas in the other semifinal after the Blue Eagle survived a stern challenge from Adamson’s John Vincent Saturinas, 21–13, 7–21, 21–14, in a match that lasted nearly an hour.
Meanwhile, the men’s doubles event will feature a more balanced semifinal lineup, with four different universities represented in the final four.
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La Salle’s Karl Contreras and Gift Linaban stole the spotlight in the quarterfinals, stunning NU’s MJ Perez and Jacinth Paul Ruedas, 21–14, 16–21, 23–21, in a thrilling three-game encounter.
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The Green Shuttlers duo will next face Ateneo’s Robby Ramos and Lyrden Laborte, who swept Adamson’s Prince Betaisar and Jasper Manlangit, 21–7, 21–13, in their quarterfinal match.
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UP’s Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza also advanced after taking care of Adamson’s other pair of John Paul Badang and Eur Cabanducos, 21–16, 21–14.
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They will meet NU’s Ben Dictado and John Benedict Gam in the other semifinal. Dictado and Gam booked their place in the last four with a 21–15, 21–12 victory over Ateneo’s Wijel Albo and Rolan De Guzman.
