By Dugout Philippines
MANILA--Men's titleholder National University and De La Salle cruised past their respective foes to move within a win of advancing to the UAAP Season 78 badminton semifinals on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
The Bulldogs and the Green Archers fashioned out similar 5-0 shutout wins against Adamson University and University of the East, to improve their records to 4-0 in qualification play.
Rookie Keeyan Gabuelo overpowered Gerloth Delizo, 21-5, 21-14, in the opening singles while Roslee Pedrosa downed Kevin Fabros, 21-15, 21-17, in the second singles.
The first doubles pair of Peter Magnaye and Alvin Morada routed Elben Concha and Alvin Paclibare, 21-9, 21-8, to clinch the tie NU.
Also emerging victorious for the Bulldogs are the second doubles tandem of Jowin Carlos and Paul Gonzales, a 21-18, 21-14 winner over Fabros and Delizo, and Morada, who rallied from a opening set loss to defeat EJ Viloria, 11-21, 21-17, 21-8, in the third singles.
La Salle also had an easy time, as EJ Boac prevailed over Benjamin Silla, 21-14, 21-9, in the first singles, while Kenneth Monterubio whipped AJ Manlalangit, 21-16, 21-18, in the second singles.
Gerald Sibayan and Anton Cayanan hacked out a 21-12, 21-8 first doubles win over Clarence Camacho and King Arthur Espiritu to provide the clincher for the Archers.
The second doubles pair Jerickson Obabob and Cayel Pajarillo, as well as third singles player Andrew Pineda also won to give La Salle its first shutout win of the season.
Ateneo topped Far Eastern University, 4-1, for its second victory in four starts, tying University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas in third spot.
The Fighting Maroons rallied past the Growling Tigers, 3-2, in the last tie to wheel back in contention.
The Falcons and the Red Warriors dropped to 1-3, while the Tamaraws remained winless in four outings.
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