Ateneo hits two birds with one stone; sweeps UAAP badminton titles, MVP honors

Ateneo de Manila University hit two birds with one stone, completing a golden double in the UAAP Season 88 badminton tournament and sweeping both Most Valuable Player awards, at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall, Oct 22.

The Blue Eagles reclaimed supremacy on both fronts, as the men’s and women’s squads captured their respective crowns to mark Ateneo’s third overall double championship and second in three years.

Blue Eagles soar to men’s crown

In the men’s division, Ateneo capped a perfect 7-0 season with a commanding 3-0 sweep of the University of the Philippines in the Finals to reclaim the throne and secure its sixth title overall.

Rookie sensation JR Pandi set the tone with a 21-15, 21-19 upset win over national team veteran Jelo Albo, giving the Blue Eagles an early advantage.

Co-captain Lyrden Laborte, who was later named Season MVP, battled back from a one-set deficit to defeat Kervin Llanes in the second singles match, 17-21, 21-15, 21-8.

Pandi returned for the doubles rubber alongside senior Arthur Salvado Jr., sealing the championship with a 24-22, 21-11 victory over Albo and Mark Anthony Bernal.

The win broke a tie between Ateneo and UP, both of which entered the season with five titles apiece. Meanwhile, National University took the bronze medal after defeating De La Salle University, 3-1.

Lady Eagles reclaim women’s title in dominant fashion

Ateneo’s women’s team followed suit, sweeping National University, 3-0, in the Finals to reclaim the championship and complete the school’s golden double.

Graduating captain Mikaela de Guzman delivered a masterclass performance in her final UAAP campaign, dominating Hailene Diaz in just 20 minutes, 21-8, 21-8, before teaming up with co-captain Jochelle Alvarez to clinch the title-clinching doubles match, 21-6, 21-10, over Ysabel Amora and Gwyneth Desacola.

Sophomore Althea Ocampo added the second point after a gritty comeback win against Amora, 17-21, 21-12, 21-13.

De Guzman, who was later named Women’s MVP, closed her collegiate career with a statement, leading the Lady Eagles to their ninth UAAP women’s title.

UP rounded out the podium with a bronze-medal sweep of University of Santo Tomas, 3-0, while UST’s Hanie De Jesus and UP’s Brys Fuggan shared Rookie of the Year honors.

A golden finish for Ateneo

With Laborte and De Guzman both earning MVP awards, Ateneo not only reclaimed the badminton throne but also reaffirmed its dominance in both men’s and women’s divisions.

The victories marked a season of redemption and resurgence for the Blue Eagles, who turned last year’s heartbreak into a historic double triumph, proving once again that Ateneo’s badminton dynasty is far from over.

With reports from ABS-CBN