National University and Ateneo bested their respective opponents Wednesday and forge a title showdown in the UAAP men’s badminton tournament at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center.
The Bulldogs, the reigning five-time champions, survived some scary moments before eking out a 3-2 win over the stubborn UP Maroons.
Thirdy Bacalso kept the undefeated streak of the Bulldogs to 50 straight ties as he dominated Michael Clemente in the deciding singles match, 21-16, 21-10.
NU needed to complete the comeback in the second doubles match as UP super senior Vinci Manuel and rookie Jason Vanzuela threatened to clinch the tie. Solomon Padiz Jr. and Keeyan Gabuelo had other plans, taking a three-set win, 21-16, 15-21, 21-17.
UP captain JM Bernardo steered his squad to a 2-1 lead after beating Keeyan Gabuelo in the first singles match, 13-21, 22-20, 21-16, before teaming up with Harvey Tungul in outlasting James Villarante and Julius Villabrille, 21-17, 13-21, 21-10.
Earlier, Padiz Jr. stopped Kyle Legaspi in the second singles rubber, 21-16, 21-14, to knot things up at 1-1.
NU head coach Jaime Llanes was pleased that his squad responded to the challenge imposed by UP.
“Nakikita ko na UP came here to fight, so sabi ko, ‘You have to fight also if you want to win,'” he said.
In the other court, rookie Arthur Salvado impressed in his first semifinals appearance, leading the Blue Eagles to a3-1 win over the De La Salle Green Shuttlers.
Salvado and Keoni Asuncion closed the day with the win after outhustling Andrew Pineda and Joshua Morada in the second doubles match, 19-21, 21-13, 21-16.
Salvado started the day right for Ateneo with a 21-18, 21-15 win over Jan Mangubat, before Asuncion made it 2-0 against Andrew Pineda, 16-21, 21-17, 21-19.
The best-of-three Finals between NU and Ateneo will start on Friday.
