NU Bulldogs bag men's badminton crown

MANILA -- National University didn't allow its men's badminton championship series with Ateneo de Manila to go the distance after it clinched the UAAP title on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

Joper Escueta teamed up with Aries de los Santos for the 3-2 victory, which came after they hacked out a 15-21, 21-16, 21-14 win over Toby Gadi and Patrick Natividad in the second doubles to send the game to a decider.

Escueta then waylaid Justin Natividad, 21-5, 21-6, in the third singles to seal the championship for the season host.

It was a sweet achievement for the Bulldogs, who bowed to the Blue Eagles last year.

“Our players had a good showing although they’re too much pressured. They poured their efforts for this match and they showed a lot of heart,” said NU coach Jojo Mance.

Determined to live another day, Ateneo took the first two singles matches, as Patrick Natividad defeated Jayson Oba-ob, 21-16, 21-15, while Gadi beat Andrei Babad, 21-17, 21-13.

But NU chipped the lead after the first doubles match where Babad and Oba-ob outclassed JC Carlos and Arlo Madrid, 21-8, 21-8.

Holding a 9-1 record, NU’s only loss came in the Finals opener, where Ateneo pulled off a stunning 3-0 victory. The Bulldogs came to the finals with a thrice-to-beat incentive for recently sweeping the seven-game elimination round.

Escueta, a national team mainstay, was named as the tournament MVP while Carlos Cayanan and John Kenneth Monterubio of third placer La Salle were adjudged as the Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player, respectively. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)