Ateneo, NU to clash in UAAP men's badminton finals

By Jean Malanum

October 29, 2024, 6:03 pm

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<p><strong>ATENEO WINS. </strong>Ateneo team captain Lyrden Laborte (right) and rookie Robby Ramos react after escaping with a 21-14,16-21, 21-15 victory over UP's Jelo Albo and Johann Abinales in the second doubles of the UAAP Season 87 men's badminton tournament semifinal round at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Manila on Tuesday (Oct. 29, 2024). The Blue Eagles beat the Fighting Maroons, 3-1, to advance in the finals against National University. <em>(UAAP photo) </em></p> — **ATENEO WINS.** Ateneo team captain Lyrden Laborte (right) and rookie Robby Ramos react after escaping with a 21-14,16-21, 21-15 victory over UP's Jelo Albo and Johann Abinales in the second doubles of the UAAP Season 87 men's badminton tournament semifinal round at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Manila on Tuesday (Oct. 29, 2024). The Blue Eagles beat the Fighting Maroons, 3-1, to advance in the finals against National University. *(UAAP photo)*

MANILA – Defending champion Ateneo de Manila University and National University (NU) won their respective semifinal ties in the UAAP Season 87 men’s badminton tournament at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Manila on Tuesday.

Ateneo defeated the University of the Philippines (UP), 3-1, while NU routed the University of Santo Tomas, 3-0, to arrange a title showdown at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

The Bulldogs, runner-up last season, won in Season 82 (2019) and 85 (2022).

UP took a 1-0 lead when Smash Pilipinas standout Jelo Albo outplayed Lance Vargas in the first singles, 21-19, 21-16.

Ateneo captain Lyrden Laborte prevailed over rookie Shan Clar in the second singles match, 21-17, 22-20, while Vargas and former skipper Arthur Salvado Jr. toppled Enzo Rivera and Mark Anthony Bernal, 21-18, 21-17, in the first doubles match.

Laborte returned to the court, teaming up with rookie Robby Ramos to win the second doubles match, 21-14,16-21, 21-15, over Albo and Johann Abinales.

“At the start, we just focused on the game. We kept our presence of mind and we just put God in the center of our team no matter what,” said Laborte, the UAAP Season 86 co-MVP.

“As for NU, we know that it is a strong team because we lost to them last Sunday, but we have to think that we can do it. One point at a time, one game at a time. We can as long as we believe."

Meanwhile, NU banked on Season 85 co-MVP Solomon Padiz Jr. and Jeno Cariño, who is making a comeback, to reach its 12th straight finals.

Padiz and Cariño downed UST’s Bien Miraflor and Lennox Cuilao, 21-19, 21-14.

Lanz Zafra clobbered Cuilao, 21-13, 21-7, while Mark Anthony Velasco made quick work of Francis Haroun Sarmiento, 21-6, 21-7.

“From the start, I always tell them about their consistency. All throughout the game, what they have started should be the same. It should not decrease," long-time Bulldogs head coach Jaime Llanes said. “My players are in high spirits. And from the start, you know they want to get back."

UP and UST will dispute third place at also at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. (PNA)