QUEZON CITY — National University (NU) and University of the Philippines (UP) each tallied wins on Saturday to secure their places in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 men's badminton semifinals. The matches, which set the stage for Sunday's contest for the top spot, unfolded at Centro Atletico Badminton Center in Cubao.
According to Philippines News Agency, both NU and UP boast a 3-0 win-loss record. NU extended its impressive 59-game win streak with a close 3-2 win over University of Santo Tomas (UST), culminating in a commanding doubles performance by James Villarante and MJ Perez. Meanwhile, UP easily defeated De La Salle University with a sweeping score of 5-0. The victories set up a face-off between the Bulldogs and the Fighting Maroons at 8 a.m. on Sunday.
The tension was palpable as NU's coach Jaime Llanes emphasized the importance of starting strong in their upcoming match against UP, following a slower beginning in their latest game. Contrastingly, UP’s coach Melvin Llanes praised his players' ability to adapt and stressed the strategic importance of the lineup in the decisive match against NU.
The day's competition also saw Ateneo de Manila University claim a 5-0 win over Adamson University, which puts them in contention for a semifinal spot. The subsequent matches scheduled for Sunday promise to be a pivotal point in the tournament as teams vie for advancement.