MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion National University and De La Salle trounced their respective rivals to stay unbeaten in the UAAP Season 78 men’s badminton action yesterday.
The Bulldogs blanked University of the Philippines, 5-0, while the Green Archers downed Ateneo, 4-1, to post their third straight victories at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
University of Santo Tomas, meanwhile, defeated Far Eastern University, 4-1, to move to solo third at 2-1.
Rookie Keeyan Gabuelo scored a 21-19, 21-19 win over Wilson Lopez in the first singles, while Roslee Pedrosa waylaid Jon Masongsong, 21-9, 21-18, in the second singles.
Peter Magnaye and Alvin Morada beat Vincent Manuel and Roberto Manuel, 21-15, 21-18, in the doubles.
Pedrosa and Paul Gonzales nipped Joaquin Beato and Carl Clemente in the first doubles, 21-19, 16-21, 21-19, before Magnaye completed NU’s first shutout win of the season with a 21-17, 21-15 decision of Miguel Leonardo in the third singles.
Bucking EJ Boac’s loss in the third singles, the Green Archers banked on Gerald Sibayan, Anton Cayanan and Kenneth Monterubio to emerge victorious.
In the other tie, University of the East entered the win column by edging Adamson, 3-2.
The Red Warriors forced a four-way tie in fourth place at 1-2 along with their victims, the Fighting Maroons and the Falcons.