Letran blanks Perpetual, keeps lead in NCAA mens’ badminton

MANILA, Philippines – Letran downed Perpetual Help, 3-0, to continue to stay on top and on course of snaring its first title in the 90th NCAA men's badminton competition at the Power Play Badminton Center in Quezon City Friday.

Nephtali Pineda slammed Jonathan Alzate, 21-7, 21-16, before he teamed up with Julius Quindoza in the doubles to outlast the stubborn pair of Zedrie Cayanan and Lorde Jeremiah Lim, 21-16, 21-17.

Mark Joseph Sabarre walloped Lemuel Kenneth de Barbo to complete the sweep.

The win thus sent Letran at the helm, barely leading defending champion St. Benilde, Arellano University and Lyceum.

St. Benilde and La Salle-Greenhills, for their part, remained on course of taking home a three-peat as the two continued to lead their respective divisions.

Nikki Therese Servando overpowered Mapua's Sunnycille Baylon, 21-5, 21-3, Allizandra Candelaria edged Faye Manalansan, 22-20, 21-17, before Angel Grace Oclinaria and Danyl Pauline Escobar trounced Germaine Mangaliman and Anna Nicole Salas, 21-19, 21-8.

Gabriele Anton Varagas, Lorenzo Martin del Rosario and the tandem of James Marcus Candelario and Benjamin Abalos IV delivered the wins for the Greenies.

Vargas outclassed Mapua's Josiah Barcenas, 21-2, 21-3, del Rosario smashed Anthony Gerard Santos and Candelario and Abalos dumped Adrian Lance Guevarra and Daniel Kevin Monong, 21-5, 21-8.