Bulldogs, Fighting Maroons stay perfect in UAAP badminton

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion National University and University of the Philippines logged two victories to stay undefeated over the weekend in the UAAP Season 81 badminton tournament at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall. 

The five-peat seeking Bulldogs edged hard-fighting Adamson University, 3-2, Sunday to follow up last Saturday's 4-1 conquest of De La Salle to extend their unbeaten run to 38 ties.

The Fighting Maroons prevailed over University of Santo Tomas, 3-2, Saturday and made quick work of University of the East, 5-0, to also complete a weekend sweep.

NU and UP now sport identical 3-0 records, as the last season's Finals protagonists collide for the solo lead at 8 a.m. Tuesday at the same Malate venue.

Ateneo seized solo third with a 2-1 card with a narrow 3-2 victory over a De La Salle.

In their tie with the Falcons, the Bulldogs were poised for a shutout after taking the first three matches courtesy of former MVP winner Ross Lee Pedrosa and Mike Minuluan in singles, and last season's MVP Alvin Morada and Alem Palmares in first doubles.

Vastly-improved Adamson University was able to pull off a reversal against NU in the last two matches, as Marf Eden Concha won his singles and doubles with Johnrick Macabenta.

The Falcons and the Green Shuttlers now have 2-2 cards in joint fourth, while the Growling Tigers and the Red Warriors fell at 0-3 and 0-4 slates, respectively.

In the women's division Saturday, UP outlasted NU, 3-2, to join Ateneo on top at 2-0.

Titleholder De La Salle moved to solo third following a dominant 5-0 victory over Adamson University, while UST entered the win column following a 5-0 romp of UE. 

The Lady Shuttlers bounced back from a painful 2-3 loss to the Lady Eagles to improve at 1-1, while ending the Lady Bulldogs' run of two consecutive wins.

The Tigresses joined the Lady Falcons at 1-2, while the Lady Warriors fell at 0-3.