UST, FEU clinch UAAP badminton titles

University of Santo Tomas retained the men's title while Far Eastern University wrested the women's crown in the just concluded 73rd UAAP badminton tournament at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall. The Tigers defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the finals, 3-2 after Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ariel Magnaye pulled off a 17-21, 21-16, 21-17 win over Paolo Sunga in the deciding third singles. Ateneo opened with a win after Antonio Gaddi overpowered Salvador Kapuan, 21-9, 21-14 in the first singles but the Tigers won the second singles and the first doubles for a 2-1 lead. RJ Ormilla tied the match with a 21-8, 21-15 victory over Patrick Natividad in the second singles before Magnaye and partner Benjude Cajete gave UST the upperhand with a 21-18, 21-16 win against Paulo Sunga and Justin Natividad in the first doubles. The Blue Eagles forced a deciding third singles after Gaddi teamed up with Natividad in the second doubles to beat Kapunan and Ormilla, 21-10, 22-20. The Lady Tamaraws, on the other hand, leaned on Kim Mayono’s 9-21, 21-4, 21-12 victory against La Salle’s singles specialist Danica Bolos to formally dethrone the Lady Archers. FEU's Rochelle Reyes gave the Lady Tams the first win after a 21-18, 21-14 decision against La Salle’s Geli Ramos. Reyes was later named the tournament MVP. – JVP, GMANews.TV