National University (NU) defeated Ateneo de Manila University, 3-0, to win the UAAP Season 87 men’s badminton championship on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Lanz Zafra led NU’s charge, winning the first singles match against Season 86 Rookie of the Year Lance Vargas with scores of 21-15 and 21-11. Zafra had missed last season due to injury.
Mark Velasco, the 2023 Philippine Badminton Open men’s singles champion, secured the second point for NU. He triumphed over reigning MVP Lyrden Laborte in a tight match, finishing 21-17, 12-21, 21-18.
In the doubles match, Zafra and Nestojan Tapales defeated co-MVP Arthur Salvado Jr. and Vargas, winning 23-21, 17-21, 21-17. With this victory, the Bulldogs captured their ninth title in the last 11 years.
“We really prepared for this. We have players coming back from injuries, even before Mark. We are very happy to return the title to Jhocson,” said NU’s long-time head coach Jaime Llanes.
Llanes also emphasized Velasco’s need to regain his confidence on the court. “Before the second singles started, I told Mark that I want to see the player I knew before he joined NU.”
The University of the Philippines secured third place by sweeping the University of Santo Tomas, 3-0, for the third consecutive year.
Season 85 Rookie of the Year Jelo Albo dominated Lennox Cuilao, winning 21-14, 21-7. Shan Clar also won against Ivan Tuazon, finishing 21-16, 21-9.
In the doubles match, Enzo Rivera and Mark Anthony Bernal defeated Bien Miraflor and Cuilao, 21-12, 21-12.
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