National University made clear its intentions of keeping its stranglehold of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s badminton title.
Three years removed from action due to the pandemic, the Bulldogs walloped Adamson University, 4-1, to begin their seven-peat bid in Season 85 on Saturday at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center in Quezon City.
NU clinched the tie after the first doubles match pair of national team standouts Solomon Padiz Jr. and Julius Villabrille put up a clinical 19-minute dismantling of the Falcons duo of John Pedrosa and Mark Racelis, 21-6, 21-7.
The Bulldogs won their 52nd straight tie dating back from Season 77.
Lanz Zafra opened NU’s romp with a thorough 21-11, 21-7 conquest of Christian Lloyd Garcia in the first singles match.
Mark Anthony Velasco then gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 tie lead after a 21-7, 21-6 win over Nathaniel Acedillo in the second singles.
“We’re happy we got to compete once again after three years,” UAAP Season 82 Rookie of the Year and NU captain Padiz Jr. said.
“We went all out in this game. It’s our first tournament since the start of the pandemic so we’re still adjusting to playing on the court, the feel of competing once again. Everything felt new for us,” he added.
Meanwhile, Season 82 runner-up Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines also began their respective campaigns on a high note.
Arthur Salvado and Lynden Laborte spearheaded the Blue Eagles’ 4-1 victory over University of Santo Tomas, 4-1, as they took care of their two assignments of the day including the second doubles match that sealed the tie for Ateneo.
Salvado defeated Kyle Basilio in the first singles match, 21-13, 21-16, then Laborte followed suit in the second singles game with a 21-8, 21-9, beating of Francis Sarmiento.
The two then teamed up to take the first doubles match, 21-16, 21-15, over Jacob Galve and Janzen Panisales, 21-16, 21-15.
National team standout Jelo Albo, on the other hand, made his presence felt in his debut as he swept his matches to lead UP to a 4-1 win over De La Salle University.
The Fighting Maroon rookie dominated James Estrada, 21-10, 21-15, before teaming up with fellow national team member Jason Vanzuela for a 21-14, 21-16 victory over Joshua Morada and Eljee Gavile.
The women’s opening ties scheduled in the afternoon were moved to a later date due to heavy rains and winds brought about by severe tropical storm “Paeng” which put Metro Manila under Signal No. 3.
