University of the Philippines set up a finals rematch with reigning four-time champion National University following a 3-2 win over Ateneo Monday in the UAAP Season 81 men’s badminton tournament.
JM Bernardo and Vinci Manuel came through with a 21-15, 21-15 victory over Fides Bagasbas and Sean Chan in the second doubles.
Rookie Kyle Legaspi, meanwhile, recovered from a second set defeat to beat Carlo Remo, 21-12, 9-21, 21-17, in the deciding singles for the Fighting Maroons to clinch the tie.
Bernardo provided UP’s other win after a 24-22, 21-4 conquest of Bagasbas in the first singles.
The Bulldogs and the Maroons open their best-of-three tie at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
NU completed a 6-0 elimination round sweep and has won 41 consecutive ties.
Ateneo, which bested De La Salle in the first step-ladder Sunday to advance, level after Keoni Asuncion turned back Michael Clemente, 21-19, 21-14, in the second singles and later took the lead after Remo and Asuncion subdued Betong Pineda and Harvey Tungul, 21-19, 21-14, in the first doubles.