MANILA, Philippines - Reigning MVP Toby Gadi led the way as Ateneo turned back De La Salle University, 3-2, to kick off its title-retention bid in the UAAP Season 75 men’s badminton yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Gadi hammered out a 21-16, 21-5 win over JC Clarito in the first singles, which teammate Patrick Natividad followed up with a 21-14, 21-17 triumph over Lance Bautista as AdMU seized a 2-0 cushion in the five-match tie.
The Green Archers stayed alive as Ronel Estanislao and Carlos Cayanan outclassed Rafael Alonzo and Miko Malilin, 21-7, 21-9, but the Blue Shuttlers quickly pulled the plug on DLSU’s comeback plans.
Gadi and Natividad teamed up in the second doubles to beat Season 74 rookie of the year Gerald Sibayan and Clarito, 21-19, 21-9, to secure the tie for Ateneo.
John Kenneth Monterubio tripped Justin Natividad, 21-10, 21-15, in the no-bearing third singles to give DLSU some consolation.