UAAP Season 89 badminton tournament opens with new format

The UAAP Season 89 badminton championships have commenced at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City, introducing a new tournament format that includes separate singles and doubles knockout competitions alongside the traditional team event.

Ateneo de Manila University began its title defense with a 3-2 victory over Adamson University in the men’s division. Key performances included Lance Vargas and Lyrden Laborte, while Robby Ramos and Zeth Quiambao secured the deciding point in the doubles fixture.

In the women’s division, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons achieved a 5-0 sweep against the University of Santo Tomas. The victory featured a successful return for Pat De Leon, who defeated Angel Vitangcol.

National University also secured a dominant start with a 5-0 sweep of De La Salle University. The Bulldogs' performance was highlighted by the debut of Clarence Villaflor, a 2026 Azerbaijan International Challenge bronze medalist.