UAAP: Unbeaten NU, Ateneo claim Final 4 spots in men’s badminton

MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University and National University on Tuesday secured their places in the UAAP Season 89 men’s badminton Final 4 after beating separate opponents at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.

The defending champion Blue Eagles improved to 3–0 and seized a share of the lead with a 4–1 rout of De La Salle University, keeping their bid for back-to-back titles firmly on track.

Reigning MVP Lyrden Laborte and undefeated Robby Ramos clinched the semifinal berth for Ateneo, defeating Rey Nier Dalimo-Os and Aj Lorenz Jurada in a marathon three-setter, 15–21, 21–16, 21–18.

“So far, so good, no. And like we always do, one point at a time, one game at a time, hindi magbabago ‘yan, hanggang sa matapos. Lagi kasi ang mindset every time, palakas nang palakas ‘yung kalaban. Yun yung tinatatak namin sa isip namin,” said the graduating senior Laborte.

“Sa ‘kin lang din, kung ano ‘yung maiiwan kong legacy sa Ateneo. It’s an honor na nag-champion ako twice; gusto kong mag-iwan ng legacy na back-to-back,” the two-time MVP added.

“It feels good, but the job is not yet done. We still have to play two more schools. We’ll be ready,” the Albany High School product added.

Ateneo had to grind out its 2–0 advantage, with team captain Lance Vargas and rookie Wijel Albo fending off Lovic Javier and Gift Linaban, respectively, in the opening singles matches.

Vargas, the Season 86 Rookie of the Year, turned back Javier, 21–18, 22–20, while Albo summoned enough strength to secure his first-ever singles victory, edging Linaban, 21–13, 9–21, 21–19.

Karl Contreras and Zaki Layno pulled one back for DLSU, rallying past Christopher Anglo and Rolan De Guzman, 19–21, 21–13, 21–14. However, Zeth Quiambao put the finishing touches on Ateneo’s victory with a 21–13, 21–18 win over Joshua Cuarte.

Filipino-American sophomore Ben Dictado made his season debut for National U against University of Santo Tomas, and delivered for the still-undefeated Bulldogs against Aaron Bedaña, 21–15, 21–19. 

Dictado rallied in the second game to seal NU’s 3–2 tie victory and secure its place in the semifinals.

“I just told myself to be mentally ready. All of us here in the UAAP, we have all the skills, but it is all mental that will set us apart. So, when I knew I’d be playing, I made sure that for every point, I’ll fight for it,” Dictado shared.

His first UAAP victory proved to be a crucial one as NU moved a step closer to completing its redemption campaign.

But NU had to dig deep as the Golden Shuttlers leveled the tie and forced a deciding match.

Clarence Villaflor and Lanz Zafra put the Bulldogs ahead 2–0. Villaflor needed just 32 minutes to subdue Ivan Tuazon, 21–9, 21–14, before Zafra doubled NU’s advantage with a 21–15, 21–8 victory over Juan Miguel Sison.

Ron Galve and Bien Miraflor, however, brought UST back into contention, preserving their unbeaten record with a 21–16, 18–21, 21–15 marathon victory over the previously undefeated pair of John Vincent Lanuza and MJ Perez.

John Vincent Espinoza and Manuel Fulmentera then leveled the tie, notching their first victory of the season at the expense of the previously unscathed John Benedict Gam and Jacinth Paul Ruedas, 17–21, 21–19, 21–17.

NU and Ateneo are set to lock horns on Wednesday at 8 a.m. at the same Mandaluyong venue.

Elsewhere, University of the Philippines moved closer to a Final Four berth after bouncing back with a dominant 5–0 rout of Adamson University.

The Fighting Maroons had to work for their victory in the opening three matches but eventually completed the sweep, highlighted by seniors Kian Cruz and Joshua Martinez taking down John Paul Badang and Eur Cabanducos, 24–22, 21–16, in the first doubles match.

Shan Clar earlier outlasted John Vincent Saturinas in the captains’ battle, 21–11, 18–21, 21–19, before rookie MJ Amerodin notched his first victory of the season with a 21–15, 23–21 win over Steveric Muring.

Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza then broke through with a 21–5, 21–10 victory over Prince Betaisar and Jasper Manlangit, while Josh Dupet completed the sweep with a 21–12, 21–17 win over Nathaniel Acedillo.