THE ATENEO Men’s Badminton Team (AMBT) laid down the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Shuttlers, 3-0, to bag a slot in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Badminton Tournament Finals. The semifinal match-up was held earlier this morning at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center in Quezon City.

With their triumphant result, the Blue Eagles augmented their record to a 5-1 win-loss standing, booking them a second consecutive trip to the UAAP Tournament Finals.

Ateneo Team Captain Arthur Salvado opened the contest with a valiant performance against UST’s Lennox Cuilao in the first men’s singles, 2-0. In the first set, the seasoned veteran smashed in puncturing shots in his opponent’s court, leading him to a 21-15 victory. Meanwhile, the following set saw a more composed Cuilao level the game 8-8, but Salvado braved through his shots and went on a breakthrough run to seal the game, 21-14.

Next in line, hard-hitter Lyrden Laborte swooped a 2-1 win against the feisty Tiger Shuttler Sean Dela Cruz. The AMBT stalwart commanded the first set by punishing Dela Cruz’s persistent errors on the court, 21-8. However, the España-based foe sought redemption as he bested Laborte, 18-21, in the following match. In the deciding set, the Atenean veteran kept his vigor and sent in forceful shots to tally up a 21-9 win in his favor, putting Ateneo closer to the team-tie victory.

For a win to send Ateneo back to the UAAP Finals, veteran Salvado and rookie Lance Vargas dismantled UST’s Cuilao and Janzen Panizales, 2-0. Initially a highly heated first set with a 14-14 contest, the Atenean power duo came out dominant as Salvado’s rear-court shot grabbed the first set point, 21-15. The Captain-Rookie pair continued to stave off the pressured España duo in the following set, coming out on top with a gritty 21-19 victory to end UST’s season in a sweep, 3-0.

With their superlative performance, the Blue Eagles hope to reclaim their throne as they face the defending champions National University Bulldogs in the UAAP Badminton Tournament Finals, on Sunday, November 12, at 8:00 AM in the same venue.