NATIONAL University survived a gritty challenge from University of Santo Tomas, 4-1, to remain undefeated in three ties in the ongoing qualifying round of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Badminton tournament on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Malate, Manila.
The defending champions shook off a setback in the second singles match against the Golden Shuttlers, with MJ Perez making amends and pairing up with reigning MVP Lanz Zafra to secure the decisive win in the second doubles rubber.
Perez and Zafra dismantled Ron Galve and Bien Miraflor, 21-13, 21-12, giving an undermanned NU squad a crucial victory ahead of their clash with fellow title contenders, University of the Philippines.
“Ok naman naging performance nila kahit may mga natalo ngayon. Wala namang perfect game, so talagang you will win some, and you will lose some. Bumawi na lang next time,” said longtime head coach Jaime Llanes. “Pero so far, OK naman ako sa nagiging performance ng team.”
(“I’m happy with their performance despite suffering some losses. It will not always be perfect; you will win some, and you will lose some. You just need to bounce back next time. But so far, I’m content with how they’re playing.”)
“At the start pa lang sinabi ko naman this will be a difficult season for us kasi nga marami rin namang magagaling sa ibang schools. Heading do’n sa laban against UP and Ateneo, gusto ko pang makita na mag-push pa sila and ipakita nila yung eagerness nila na manalo.”
(“Since the start, I have been telling them that this will be a difficult season for us. We’re up against talented players from other schools. And heading into our matches against UP and Ateneo, I just want to see them push themselves and show their eagerness to win.”)
Zafra put the Jhocson-based squad ahead in style, dominating JM Sison, 21-6, 21-8, in just 30 minutes. Lennox Cuilao, however, leveled the contest with a marathon win over Perez, 23-21, 20-22, 23-21, a match interrupted due to water leaking onto the court from the rain.
James Villarante and John Benedict Gam restored order with a solid 21-15, 21-19 win over John Vincent Espinoza and Janzen Panisales, setting up the clincher for the Bulldogs. Miko Mosarbas then sealed the triumph with a 22-20, 21-17 victory over Angelo Tuazon.
NU and Ateneo de Manila University—dominant 5-0 winners over Adamson University—remain atop the standings with identical 3-0 records.
