ATENEO, University of the Philippines and De La Salle won their respective men’s division openers yesterday in the UAAP Season 80 badminton tournament.
The Blue Eagles carved out a 4-1 win over Adamson University, 4-1, while the Fighting Maroons posted a 5-0 shutout victory over University of the East.
The Green Archers lost their first two matches before storming back to beat University of Santo Tomas, 3-2, in the other opening day tie at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Singles players Carlo Remo, Clarence Filart and last season’s top rookie Keoni Asuncion as well as doubles aces Remo and Patrick Gecosala prevailed to give Ateneo a winning start.
The Eagles’ lone loss came from the second doubles of Filart and Sean Chan.
UP turned to JM Bernardo, CK Clemente and Vinci Manuel, who won their singles’ matches, as well as the pairs of Betong Pineda and Paul Gonzales, and Jolo Lunod and Michael Clemente, who swept their doubles matches.
Men’s champion NU, which went perfect in 27 ties dating back from 2014, drew an opening-day bye.
The Bulldogs begin their quest for a four-peat against the Fighting Maroons tomorrow at 8 a.m. at the same Malate venue.
UP, meanwhile, also drew a bye and will begin its foray for a women’s four-peat opposite La Salle at 1 p.m. tomorrow.