MANILA, Philippines -- National University opened title-retention bid in style with a 4-1 victory of old nemesis Ateneo in the men's division of the UAAP Season 78 badminton tournament Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Rookie Keeyan Gabuelo opened the Bulldogs' onslaught with a 21-18, 21-11 win over Jan Mangubat in the first singles, while Peter Magnaye downed Carlo Remo, 21-13, 21-16, in the third singles.
Magnaye and last season's top rookie Alvin Morada defeated Patrick Gecosala and Fides Bagasbas, 21-15, in the first doubles while Roslee Pedrosa and Paul Gonzales downed Clarence Filart and Hanz Bernardo, 21-15, 21-17, in the second doubles to seal the victory for NU.
The Blue Eagles, who won the championship two years ago, averted a shutout with Filart winning the second singles match over Pedrosa, 21-16, 12-21, 21-16.
Last year's runner-up De La Salle, starring EJ Boac, Kenneth Monterubio and Anton Cayanan, prevailed over University of the Philippines in an intense match-up, 4-1.
In other ties, University of Santo Tomas routed University of the East, 5-0, while Far Eastern University edged Adamson University, 3-2.
Ties will resume today at 8 a.m.