National University moved on the cusp of clinching an outright passage to the men’s Finals as the reigning four-time champions overwhelmed University of Santo Tomas, 5-0, Thursday in the UAAP Season 81 badminton tournament.
Everything went well for the mighty Bulldogs, as Ross Lee Pedrosa, Mike Minuluan and Dawn Cuyno won their respective singles matches while the pairs of reigning MVP Alvin Morada and Alem Palmares, and Minuluan and Cuyno hurdled their doubles contests.
Stretching its perfect run to 40 ties and sporting a 5-0 record in the season, NU goes for the elimination round sweep against winless University of the East at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
In other ties, University of the Philippines turned back Ateneo, 3-2, while De La Salle scored a 4-1 decision over Adamson University to complete the semifinals cast.
The victory, the fourth in five ties, assured the Fighting Maroons of at least a playoff for the second twice-to-beat slot in the semifinals.
The Green Shuttlers, meanwhile, improved to 3-2 alongside the Blue Eagles in third place.
UP seeks to seal the No. 2 ranking in the semifinals with a win over De La Salle on Saturday.
The Falcons, who needed a win over the Green Shuttlers to stay alive, bowed out of contention, wrapping up their season with a 2-4 slate in fifth – an improvement from seventh place last year.