San Beda, PUP, UP sweep in PIBC afternoon session

De Guzman and Abang for PUP

San Beda and PUP are set for a Sunday morning matchup to determine the finalist from Group B in the SMART Philippine Intercollegiate Badminton Championships, after both schools swept their opposition on Saturday afternoon at the Centro Atletico courts in Quezon City.

The Red Lions secured their second win in the tournament against RTU, with the men's doubles tandem of Timothy Santos and Laurence Alejo needed twenty minutes to defeat Bryant Pili and Rowell Pereda, 21-15 21-8.

John Niel Panganiban got things going in men's singles with a 21-4 21-8 win over Louise Anton de Leon, followed by Anniena Cruz's 21-19 21-10 victory in women's singles.

Clinching the sweep for the Mendiola-based squad are Dana Navarro and June Gimena's 21-4 21-4 win over Andrea Pajarillo and Jolina Miranda in women's doubles, followed by Ianah Belen and Kish Laboy's 21-9 21-7 rout against Ada Alfonzo and Adrian Ong in mixed doubles.

For PUP, John Oliver de Guzman and Kevin Abang clinch the tie with a 21-10 21-13 victory in men's doubles against TUP counterparts Allen Benamir and John Emmanuel Balgos.

In Group A, the University of the Philippines kept their record spotless after sweeping Adamson.

Michael Clemente and Paul Gonzales clinched the tie with a 21-15 21-14 win over Gabrielle Hernandez and Noel Ganoy.

The Fighting Maroons can clinch the top spot with a win over the University of Santo Tomas

Ateneo entered the win column with a 4-1 win over UST, as Arthur Salvado ensured the tie belongs to the Blue Eagles with a 21-13 21-10 triumph over Kyle Adiel Basilio.

In addition, Lyndon Laborte and Bryan Bernardo defeated Francis Sarmiento and Lanz Ramirez in men's doubles, 24-22 21-15.

The final group phase matches are scheduled on Sunday at 8 a.m., while the championship tie is scheduled at 1 p.m. between the respective group winners.

The tournament is organized by the Philippine Badminton Association, powered by SMART Communications, and supported by the MVP Sports Foundation, Ducksports, Young, and Apacs.