UAAP: NU, Ateneo to face off for men’s badminton crown

MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University and National University scored contrasting victories in the Final 4 on Tuesday, setting up a showdown for the UAAP Season 89 men’s badminton championship. 

National U leaned on bounce-back victories from rookie John Vincent Lanuza and fourth-year player MJ Perez to put their redemption bid in motion with a 3–0 sweep of University of Santo Tomas.

Meanwhile, reigning MVP Lyrden Laborte took another step toward fulfilling his promise of building a legacy for the Blue Eagles, steering them to a 3–2 triumph over the University of the Philippines.

NU and Ateneo will dispute the team event championship on Wednesday at 8 a.m.

Lanuza and Perez not only handed Ron Galve and Bien Miraflor their first defeat of the season but also avenged their loss to the same pair in the qualifying round, prevailing 21–18, 19–21, 21–16 in exactly an hour.

“Siguro ang naging mindset namin ngayon is maibalik ‘yung championship sa NU dahil last season bronze lang po kami,” said Perez. “Mabigat po sa ‘min ‘yon dahil marami pong nagsasabi na parang mahina kami last season. Ngayong season po, papatunayan namin na buo na po kami, buo kami na kukunin ‘yung championship.”

Smash Pilipinas standout Clarence Villaflor once again set the tone for the Bulldogs, making quick work of Aaron Bedaña, 21–10, 21–7. Team captain Lanz Zafra then needed just 27 minutes to dispatch Ivan Tuazon, 21–9, 21–7, putting NU’s doubles pair in position to complete the sweep.

Laborte, meanwhile, fended off a determined Josh Dupet in the deciding singles match, 21–17, 21–18, to seal the tie for the Blue Eagles.

“Unang-una, happy na bumalik kami sa Final and meron kaming chance na ulit na ma-defend ‘yung crown namin. Siguro, going into the Final tomorrow, mas lamang ‘yung excitement para i-defend; oo, meron pa ring pressure kasi nga dahil natalo kami nung previous tie,” said the 24-year-old former national pool member. “Pero kinalimutan namin ‘yon. Overall, ang nararamdaman ng team is just happy and excited.”

Much like in their qualifying-round encounter last Saturday, Ateneo and UP split the first four matches of their semifinal tie.

Lance Vargas and Zeth Quiambao delivered contrasting victories to put the defending champions ahead, 2–0.

Vargas denied opposing captain Shan Clar the opening point, prevailing 21–12, 19–21, 21–12, while Quiambao dominated Jerard Borgador, 21–10, 21–5, in a 41-minute match.

However, UP forced a deciding fifth match by sweeping the doubles rubbers.

MJ Amerodin and Kian Cruz secured a 21–14, 17–21, 21–9 victory over Rolan De Guzman and Allen Penute before Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza leveled the tie with a 21–12, 21–15 sweep of Wijel Albo and Robby Ramos.

The Fighting Maroons and the Golden Shuttlers will battle for the bronze medal on Wednesday in a match scheduled to take place simultaneously with the championship tie.