San Beda University claimed its fourth consecutive title in men's badminton, while San Sebastian College-Recoletos earned its first-ever crown in women's badminton in the NCAA Season 99 badminton finals held Wednesday at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center in Quezon City.
The Red Smashers flourished in the team event tallying a 2-0 record against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the Finals, while the opposite happened to their female counterparts as the Lady Red Smashers were outmuscled by the San Sebastian women’s badminton team, 2-0.
In the men’s division, the Red Smashers duo of Arjay Philip Lazareto and Ramon Timothy Santos made quick work of Benilde’s Christian Selga and Ranie Rey Mullet, 21-8, 21-14, while Mel David De Vera outlasted Benilde’s Michael Garcia in three sets, 21-15, 18-21, 23-21.
San Beda also dominated the individual awards as Lazareto and Santos were hailed as the league’s Most Valuable Players, while Krenz Coltier Valena took home the Rookie of the Year plum. Head coach Ronald Magnaye earned the Coach of the Year award.
In the women’s side, San Sebastian’s Nenia Solinap achieved the MVP title after pummeling San Beda’s Isabella Dominique Pollentes, 21-14, 21-9.
The pair of Luzviminda Gaba and Wishes Gacho, meanwhile, pounded San Beda’s Elayssa Morado and Annienna Cruz, 21-12, 21-11, to give off a historic win for San Sebastian.
Benilde’s Shamtella Amante was the Rookie of the Year, and San Sebastian women’s badminton team head coach Jeffrey Landagan was lauded as the Coach of the Year.
San Sebastian also reigned supreme in the juniors' category as Zeth Quiambao, who was named MVP, drubbed San Beda’s Angelo Virtucio, 21-10, 21-3, while the tandem of Gift Linaban and Season 99 Rookie of the Year Mark Anthony Bernal crushed Ace Delas Alas and Adrien Villegas, 21-9, 21-12.
Meanwhile, San Sebastian (men's), Benilde (women's), and Mapua (juniors) claimed the bronze medal finishes.
—Nicole Anne Bugauisan/JKC, GMA Integrated News
