Knights ground Altas, wrest badminton lead

MANILA, Philippines - Letran downed Perpetual Help, 3-0, to seize the lead over defending champion St. Benilde, Arellano U Lyceum in the 90th NCAA men’s badminton competition at the Power Play Badminton Center in Quezon City yesterday.

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

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

St. Benilde and La Salle-Greenhills, meanwhile, remained on course of the three-peat bids by leading their respective divisions.

Nikki Therese Servando overpowered Mapua’s Sunnycille Baylon, 21-5, 21-3; Allizandra Candelaria edged Faye Manalansan, 22-20, 21-17; and 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.