MANILA – National University (NU) skipper Lanz Zafra pulled off a 21-14, 15-21, 21-14 victory over Ateneo de Manila University’s Zeth Quiambao in the quarterfinal round of the UAAP Season 89 badminton individual event at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City on Saturday.
Zafra will face Shan Clar of University of the Philippines (UP) in the semifinal on Nov. 2 at 1 p.m.
Clar, the Season 87 Rookie of the Year, defeated rookie Steveric Muring of Adamson University, 21-17, 21-16.
“Inisip ko lang na last playing year ko. Swerte ako nakapag-individual pa ko. So, sinusulit ko lang, and it’s for NU at sana makapag-ambag pa ko ng points para sa (I just kept in mind that this is my final playing year. I’m fortunate to still be able to compete in an individual event. So, I’m just making the most of it, it’s for NU and I hope I can contribute more points toward the) overall championship,” Zafra, a two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player, said after 76-minute match.
Zafra’s teammate, Clarence Villaflor, also advanced after beating Season 88 Rookie of the Year Lovic Javier of De La Salle University, 21-13, 21-7.
Villaflor will meet Ateneo skipper Lance Vargas, who won over Adamson’s John Vincent Saturinas, 21-13, 7-21, 21-14.
In the men’s doubles, La Salle’s Karl Contreras and Gift Linaban stunned NU’s MJ Perez and Jacinth Paul Ruedas, 21-14, 16-21, 23-21, to advance against Ateneo’s Robby Ramos and Lyrden Laborte, who swept Adamson’s Prince Betaisar and Jasper Manlangit, 21-7, 21-13.
UP’s Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza downed Adamson’s John Paul Badang and Eur Cabanducos, 21-16, 21-14, to forge a semis duel with NU’s Ben Dictado and John Benedict Gam, who prevailed over over Ateneo’s Wijel Albo and Rolan De Guzman, 21-15, 21-12. (Jean Malanum/PNA)
