National University leaned on rookie Solomon Padiz Jr. and veteran Keeyan Gabuelo to beat Ateneo, 3-1, and won the UAAP men’s badminton title for the sixth straight year yesterday at the PNP Sports Center Badminton Courts in Quezon City.
The NU pair closed out the series with a 21-14 win over Keoni Asuncion and Arthur Salvado to once again underscore its supremacy.
Gabuelo and Padiz opened the second doubles match with a 21-17 win before Asuncion and Salvado snagged the second, 23-21, to force a deciding third set.
With their spectacular campaign, Gabuelo was named the Most Valuable Player while Padiz took the Rookie of the Year honors.
NU coach Jaime Llanes was pleased with how their campaign went on, overcoming challenges from almost everybody to extend their reign.
“Happy ako sa mga boys ko kasi ginawa nilang mag-step up kahit sobrang dikit ng game,” he expressed.
In all, the win was NU’s 51st since it started to stamp its class five years ago.
Padiz earlier leveled the tie after stunning Asuncion in just two games, 21-9, 21-14, in the second singles match, before fellow freshmen James Villarante and Julius Villabrille sent NU to the brink of the championship with a 21-18, 23-21 decision over Geno Cariño and Fides Bagasbas.
Bagasbas opened the day with an upset of Gabuelo, 21-19, 11-21, 21-18.
