THE ATENEO Men’s Badminton Team (AMBT) immortalized themselves with a gold medal finish in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Men’s Badminton Tournament. This championship win came after the Blue Eagles toppled the seven-time defending champion National University Bulldogs, 3-2, earlier today at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center in Quezon City.
Blue Eagles Team Captain Arthur Salvado opened today’s matchup with a momentum-boosting win in the first singles match over Zed Monterubio, 2-0. Initially struggling with unforced errors, the Atenean skipper eventually found momentum to cruise past both sets, 21-12, 21-7. Salvado’s statement victory allowed the AMBT to take the first team-tie point of the matchup, 1-0.
Looking to put the Blue Eagles closer to the coveted title, Lyrden Laborte squared off against Bulldog Marc Joel Perez in the second singles match. Despite the veteran’s late-set scoring run, Perez grabbed the first set through an aggressive approach, 21-17. Carrying his newfound momentum, Laborte brushed off the loss by dominating in the second frame, 21-3. Heading over to the decider, despite trailing early in the canto, Laborte dug deep into the final stretch to seal the matchup’s third set, 21-14. As a result of Laborte’s heroics, the AMBT took a crucial 2-0 team-tie lead into doubles action.
In an attempt to fulfill the Blue and White’s championship aspirations, Lance Vargas and Salvado took on James Villarante and Julius Villabrille in the first doubles match. After a tight exchange of points, the pairing from Sampaloc managed to take the first set, 21-15. Consequently, the following set saw similar results, as the Blue Eagle duo failed to secure a win, 16-21. This loss resulted in the Blue Eagles conceding their first team-tie point, 2-1.
Moving into the second doubles bout, Charles Bagasbas and Laborte competed against Solomon Padiz and Perez. A strong offensive showing by NU allowed them to take the first set, 21-13. Now playing catch-up, Ateneo struggled to keep up with Padiz and Perez’s swift attacks as the Bulldogs dominated the second set, 21-14. Due to the sweep win, the Men’s finals went into its fifth and tiebreaking match.
With the season on the line, Vargas went up against Mark Velasco in the third and final singles match. The first two sets saw both players vying for momentum, with NU stealing the first set, 21-10, and Ateneo grabbing the second set, 21-9.
Ultimately, it was Ateneo’s wonder rookie who topped the third set, 21-13, after a masterclass showing late into the matchup. This heroic performance gave the Blue Eagles their seventh UAAP championship.
Overwhelmed with emotions after his monumental victory against his Bulldogs adversary, Vargas is taken aback at how everything has transpired for him in just his rookie year.
“It feels great and I honestly don’t have the words to describe what I am feeling right now. I feel excited, happy, and very lost for words,” he said.
The newly crowned champion also attributed his and the entire Blue Eagles camp’s achievements to the ones closest to him.
“I would like to thank Coach Kennie, my other coaches, and most especially my parents who have been supporting me ever since I was a child. From dreaming to just getting into Ateneo and now living the dream of playing in the UAAP and becoming a champion–I give thanks to all of them and I wouldn’t be able to do this without the Lord,” the rookie acclaimed.
