Mandaluyong City:De La Salle University clinched a significant victory against the University of the Philippines, winning 3-2 in the UAAP Season 89 men's badminton team event eliminations at Gameville Central Park.
According to Philippines News Agency, this win marked La Salle's first victory over UP since Season 82 in 2019, enhancing their chances of reaching the semifinals for the second consecutive season. Both teams now hold identical 2-2 win-loss records leading into the final day of eliminations.
Joshua Miguel Cuarte played a pivotal role for La Salle, securing a crucial win against Josh Dupet with scores of 21-19, 21-16. Cuarte expressed pride in his team's resilience, noting that despite challenges such as illnesses and personal absences, the team managed to step up collectively.
Lovic Javier also contributed to La Salle's success by defeating MJ Amerodin 21-19, 21-10. Additionally, teammates Rey Nier Dalimo-Os and Aj Lorenz Jurada secured a victory over Kian Cruz and Joshua Martinez, with scores of 18-21, 21-19, 21-17, giving La Salle an initial 2-0 lead.
UP managed to equalize the match at 2-2 after Shan Clar won against Gift Linaban, 21-16, 18-21, 21-15, and the duo of Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza overcame Karl Contreras and Zaki Layno, 21-9, 21-14.
In other matches, National University achieved its fourth victory by defeating Ateneo de Manila University, 5-0. Meanwhile, the University of Santo Tomas recorded a win against Adamson University, 4-1.
