Ateneo leads badminton early winners

By Anthony Divinagracia Posted Sep 8th 2013

Defending champion National University (NU) opened its title-retention bid on a losing note even as last season’s runner-up Ateneo de Manila University and three other teams shared the early lead to open the 76^th UAAP men’s badminton tournament at the Jumpsmash courts in Quezon City.

The Bulldogs suffered a 1-4 defeat at the hands of De La Salle University to join University of the East (UE), University of Santo Tomas (UST), and Adamson University in the loser’s bracket last Sept.1.

Ateneo for its part nipped UST, 3-2, to debut with a victory alongside opening-day winner La Salle, Far Eastern University (FEU), and University of the Philippines (UP).

FEU plastered Adamson, 4-1, while the Maroons blanked UE, 5-0.

In the women’s side, reigning titlist Ateneo ripped the Lady Archers, 5-0, to jumpstart its campaign with a positive vibe.

Joining the Lady Eagles were Season 75 bridesmaid Lady Tamaraws, who escaped UST, 3-2.

UP matched Ateneo’s score in a 5-0 thrashing of NU, while the Lady Warriors dominated the Lady Falcons, 4-1.