University of the Philippines stamped its class against Ateneo, 5-0, to jumpstart its title campaign in the inaugural Philippine Intercollegiate Badminton Championships Saturday at the Centro Athletico Badminton Courts in Quezon City.
UP’s Michael Clemente and Paul Gonzales dominated Ateneo’s Jacinto Maliwat and Arthur Salvado in straight sets, 21-9, 21-15, in the men’s doubles match to clinch the win for the Fighting Maroons in Group A action.
Rookies Kervin Llanes and Anthea Gonzales earlier put UP up after taking both the men’s and women’s singles matches against Lynden Laborte and Chanelle Lunod, respectively.
Llanes was solid in his sweep of Laborte, 21-15, 21-13, in the men’s singles match, but it was Gonzales’ stunning upset of reigning two-time UAAP MVP Lunod that set the tone for the day for the Maroons. Gonzales pulled off a 23-21, 21-19, win over Lunod, to put UP on the cusp of the win.
Lea Inlayo and Susmita Ramos then needed three games to subdue Jochelle Alvarez and Missy Cervantes, 19-21, 21-15, 21-13, in the women’s doubles match, before Jason Vanzuela and Althea Fuentespina also went the distance in the mixed doubles match against Bryan Bernardo and Maxene Olango, 21-15, 20-22, 21-15.
University of Santo Tomas also took its first win in Group A with a 4-1 victory over Adamson University.
Senior Elij Pena and rookie Jennifer Baladaga secured the win for the Golden Shuttlers with a 21-7, 21-11 crushing of Ivy Plata and Althea Bartolazob in the women’s doubles match.
Over in Group B, San Beda University set its title bid in motion with a sweep of Technological University of the Philippines, 5-0.
