Baby Tams notch win 5

FAR EASTERN University-Diliman stayed unbeaten in juniors basketball while Ateneo got its back-to-back title bid going in men’s badminton of the UAAP in separate venues yesterday.

Jerie Pingoy, last season’s MVP, fired 18 points and dished out six assists as the Baby Tamaraws overwhelmed the University of the Philippines squad, 76-46, to extend their perfect run to five games in a lone juniors match at Ynares Sports Arena.

The Baby Tamaraws, who also drew double-digit contributions from Joel Lee Yu, Jeson Delfinado and Jose Domingo, joined defending champion National University (5-0) on top.

In badminton, reigning MVP Toby Gadi powered the Blue Eagles past La Salle, 3-2, at the start of men’s action at Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.

Gadi clinched the first singles with a 21-16, 21-5 triumph over JC Clarito, before teaming up with Patrick Natividad in the second doubles to secure Ateneo’s victory, 21-19, 21-9, versus Gerald Sibayan and Clarito.

Natividad also won the second singles for the Blue Eagles with a 21-14, 21-17 decision over Lance Bautista, 21-14, 21-17.

Last year’s runner-up National started its own bid with a 4-1 drubbing of FEU  behind ace Joper Escueta.

Escueta downed Wilfredo Amoroso Jr., 21-11, 21-19, in singles and also came out triumphant with Andrei Babad, 21-16, 21-12, against Joel Christian Mendez and Shadrach Niko Saquin.  Jasmine W. Payo