UP, San Beda, PUP open PIBC pool play with sweeps

Clemente and Gonzales for UP

The Philippine Intercollegiate Badminton Championships opened on Saturday morning with its first set of pool play matches, highlighted by the University of the Philippines blanking Ateneo de Manila, 5-0 at the courts of Centro Atletico in Quezon City.

Michael Clemente and Paul Gonzales sealed the tie for the Fighting Maroons with a 21-9 21-15 win over Jacinto Maliwat and Arthur Salvado in men's doubles.

The highlight of the tie saw Anthea Gonzales stun Chanelle Lunod in women's singles with the rookie stunning the two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player, 23-21 21-19.

Fellow newcomer Kervin Llanes started things off with a 21-15 21-13 victory over Lynden Laborte, while capping the sweep for UP are Lea Inlayo and Susmita Ramos' 19-21 21-15 21-13 win over Jochelle Alvarez and Missy Cervantes in women's doubles and Jason Vanzuela and Althea Fuentespina's 21-15 20-22 21-15 victory over Bryan Bernardo and Maxene Olango in mixed doubles.

The other Group A match saw UST defeat Adamson, 4-1, with Elij Pena and Jennifer Baladaga sealing the tie in women's doubles after a 21-7 21-11 demolition of Ivy Plata and Althea Bartolazob.

In Group B, San Beda swept TUP 5-0, as Arjhay Lazareto and Laurence Alejo clinched the tie with a 21-7 21-8 victory over John Emmanuel Balgos and Eljohn Penalosa in men's doubles.

The other matchup also saw PUP sweep RTU, with the duo of John Oliver de Guzman and Kevin Abang ensuring the victory for the Mighty Maroons. They dispatched their Blue Thunder counterparts Bryant Pili and Sean Rejuso, 21-9 21-12.

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