UAAP: NU dethrones Ateneo, regains men's badminton crown

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UAAP: NU dethrones Ateneo, regains men's badminton crown
ABS-CBN News
Published Oct 30, 2024 02:27 PM PHT

The NU Bulldogs celebrate after winning the UAAP Season 87 men's badminton championship on October 30, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall. UAAP MediaMANILA -- National University regained the UAAP men's badminton championship in dominant fashion on Wednesday, sweeping erstwhile titleholder Ateneo de Manila University in the Season 87 final at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Manila.

A 3-0 sweep cemented National University's status as the league's most successful program as they claimed their ninth championship in the past 11 seasons.
A 3-0 sweep cemented National University's status as the league's most successful program as they claimed their ninth championship in the past 11 seasons.
The Bulldogs had won seven straight crowns in men's badminton before ceding the title to Ateneo last year.
The Bulldogs had won seven straight crowns in men's badminton before ceding the title to Ateneo last year.
Lanz Zafra, who has returned from sitting out last season, provided the decisive wins for the Bulldogs in the tie and secured the school's ninth championship in the event and the first title this season.
Lanz Zafra, who has returned from sitting out last season, provided the decisive wins for the Bulldogs in the tie and secured the school's ninth championship in the event and the first title this season.
The Season 85 co-MVP teamed with Nestojan Tapales in the lone doubles match to outlast Season 86 co-MVP, Arthur Salvado Jr., and Season 86 Rookie of the Year, Lance Vargas, 23-21, 17-21, 21-17 in a marathon, 70-minute battle.
The Season 85 co-MVP teamed with Nestojan Tapales in the lone doubles match to outlast Season 86 co-MVP, Arthur Salvado Jr., and Season 86 Rookie of the Year, Lance Vargas, 23-21, 17-21, 21-17 in a marathon, 70-minute battle.
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"Talagang pinaghandaan kasi namin 'to. Tapos meron pa kaming mga galing ng injuries. Before, 'yung kay Mark (Velasco) before. So, masayang-masaya kami. Kami talaga ang pinaka-masaya ngayon kasi talagang nabalik namin ang korona sa Jhocson," said long-time head coach Jaime Llanes.
"Talagang pinaghandaan kasi namin 'to. Tapos meron pa kaming mga galing ng injuries. Before, 'yung kay Mark (Velasco) before. So, masayang-masaya kami. Kami talaga ang pinaka-masaya ngayon kasi talagang nabalik namin ang korona sa Jhocson," said long-time head coach Jaime Llanes.
Zafra, a former national team pool member, opened the day for the Bulldogs with a rousing 21-15, 21-11 take of Vargas. The second-year ace pulled through from a deadlock at 9 in the opening game to zoom past his familiar foe and used that momentum to take the lead.
Zafra, a former national team pool member, opened the day for the Bulldogs with a rousing 21-15, 21-11 take of Vargas. The second-year ace pulled through from a deadlock at 9 in the opening game to zoom past his familiar foe and used that momentum to take the lead.
The 2023 Philippine Badminton Open men's singles champion, Velasco, then made amends for last season's meltdown and turned back reigning MVP Lyrden Laborte, 21-17, 12-21, 21-18, for the decisive cushion.
The 2023 Philippine Badminton Open men's singles champion, Velasco, then made amends for last season's meltdown and turned back reigning MVP Lyrden Laborte, 21-17, 12-21, 21-18, for the decisive cushion.
NU's Lanz Zafra and Nestojan Tapales in action against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 87 men's badminton final, October 30, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall. UAAP Media"Actually bago pa lang magsimula 'yung second singles, sinabihan ko na siya. Psyched out ko na siya na gusto kong makita 'yung Mark na nakilala ko, 'yung since na pumasok siya sa NU kasi 'yun 'yung nawala sa kanya eh. Lagi kong pinapaalala sa kanya na kailangan niyang maibalik 'yung confidence niya sa court," said Llanes of his third-year ace.

On the other hand, University of the Philippines got the better of University of Santo Tomas for a third straight time in the third-place playoff, 3-0.
On the other hand, University of the Philippines got the better of University of Santo Tomas for a third straight time in the third-place playoff, 3-0.
Enzo Rivera and Mark Anthony Bernal bounced back from the previous day's lone season setback to clinch the bronze for the Fighting Maroons, 21-12, 21-12 against Lennox Cuilao and Bien Miraflor.
Enzo Rivera and Mark Anthony Bernal bounced back from the previous day's lone season setback to clinch the bronze for the Fighting Maroons, 21-12, 21-12 against Lennox Cuilao and Bien Miraflor.
Jelo Albo, Season 85 Rookie of the Year, and Shan Clar put up a 2-0 lead for UP in the two singles match. Albo blasted Cuilao, 21-4, 21-7, while Clar fended off Ivan Tuazon, 21-16, 21-9.
Jelo Albo, Season 85 Rookie of the Year, and Shan Clar put up a 2-0 lead for UP in the two singles match. Albo blasted Cuilao, 21-4, 21-7, while Clar fended off Ivan Tuazon, 21-16, 21-9.
The Golden Shuttlers finished in fourth this season.
The Golden Shuttlers finished in fourth this season.
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