UNIVERSITY of the Philippines ruled the inaugural Philippine Intercollegiate Badminton Championships by posting a 3-0 sweep over San Beda University yesterday at the Centro Athletico Badminton Court in Quezon City.
The Fighting Maroons took the championship trophy, the gold medals, rackets, and P50,000 cash prize as the first winners of the crown.
Seniors Jason Vanzuela and Michael Clemente wrapped up UP’s title run with a 21-16, 21-11 win over Arjhay Lazareto and Ramon Timothy Santos in the men’s doubles.
Vanzuela and Clemente shook off errors early in the first game to pull away from the Red Shuttlers and carried the momentum in the second set for the rousing win.
“Since marami po kaming freshies medyo nag-aadjust pa kami. Pero hindi naman tumitigil ng support sila Tito Conrado (Co, UP’s team manager), at happy po kami na after two years tuluy-tuloy pa rin po kami,” Lea Inlayo, a senior, said.
“Makakatulong po talaga to sa campaign namin (sa UAAP) para maging mas confident kami sa Season 85. Mas nabigyan kami ng boost and pride going into the season,” Inlayo added.
Rookies Kervin Llanes and Anthea Gonzales set the tone for the rout by beating their opponents.
Llanes got the ball rolling for UP by beating Laurence Alejo, 21-13, 22-20, in the men’s singles match.
Gonzalez gave the Fighting Maroons a huge 2-0 advantage by taking down Dana Navarro in the second match 21-7, 21-7.
The other members of the UP squad were Susmita Ramos, Enzo Rivera, Jaja Andres, Paul Gonzales, and Althea Rio Fuentespina.
San Beda settled for the silver and the P20,000 cash prize while Ateneo and PUP shared the bronze and received P10,000 each.
