UAAP WARS: Ateneo stuns NU shuttlers for crown

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo completed its phenomenal climb with a championship over a National University side also vying for a historic romp in the UAAP badminton tournament Tuesday.

The Blue Eagles, who only finished fourth at the end of the eliminations, dominated the Bulldogs, 3-1, behind the strong play of national team ace Toby Gadi in the finals at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.

“We went through a difficult route this year and were the underdogs,” said Gadi, who also copped the Most Valuable Player award. “I’m glad that all our hard work paid off.”

The Blue Eagles, who overcame the twice-to-beat edge of No. 1 squad La Salle in the semifinals, also picked up their first men’s crown in seven years and third overall.

Gadi triumphed in the second singles, 24-22, 19-21, 21-17, over fellow national player Philip Jofer Escueta of the Bulldogs, who were seeking to end a 25-year title drought.

Ateneo’s Pawee Natividad downed Aris delos Santos, 21-17, 10-21, 21-12, in the other singles match, before the pair of Gadi and Natividad wrapped it up with a second doubles win, 21-18, 21-18, over Delos Santos and Sonny Boy Montilla.

“Toby is a true winner. He had cramps, but he wanted it more,” said Ateneo mentor Kennie Asuncion, the country’s former No.1 player who also won Coach of the Year.

Other awardees were Rookie of the Year Gerald Sibayan and Most Improved Player JC Clarito of La Salle.

Baby Tams, Bullpups seal title duel
In juniors basketball, top-ranked Far Eastern University and National University arranged a best-of-three title showdown after downing separate semifinal opponents Tuesday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

Lady Tams crush Lady Archers
FEU also nailed the last Finals berth in women’s play by crushing La Salle, 66-44, in another winner-take-all semifinal earlier.

The No. 1 Lady Tamaraws will go up against defending champion Adamson in a best-of-three title series this Saturday, right before the juniors title match.

Raiza Palmera fired 12 points on top of six boards and eight assists to power the Lady Tamaraws, who rebounded four days after absorbing a 54-57 upset loss against the Lady Archers in the semifinal opener.

The second-seeded Lady Falcons disposed University of Santo Tomas in one game, 53-45, in their own Final Four encounter.

FEU similarly averted an upset in the juniors tournament with Joshua Aguilon and Jerie Pingoy combining for 39 points in the Baby Tams’ 63-56 triumph over the fourth-ranked Blue Eaglets.

The Baby Tams, who also ended the Eaglets’ bid for a fourth straight title, dominated the second half from an early 8-19 deficit.

NU overcame No. 2 De La Salle Zobel’s twice-to-beat edge with a 49-46 victory.