MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — November 3, 2026 — National University (NU) is closing in on a remarkable UAAP Season 89 badminton campaign after teammates Clarence Villaflor and Lanz Zafra secured an all-NU final in the men’s singles competition.
The two Bulldogs advanced after winning their respective semifinal matches on Monday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
Villaflor defeated Ateneo de Manila University’s Lance Vargas, 21-18, 21-12, while NU team captain Zafra overcame University of the Philippines (UP) standout Shan Clar, 21-17, 21-14.
Their victories guarantee that National University will claim the men’s singles gold medal, regardless of the result of Tuesday’s final.
The championship match is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on November 3.
Villaflor and Zafra Secure All-NU Final
Villaflor faced a challenging opening game against Vargas but maintained his composure to secure a straight-game victory.
The country’s top-ranked shuttler then controlled the second game, closing out the match 21-12 to book his place in the final.
Zafra also delivered a strong performance against Clar, winning 21-17, 21-14.
The NU captain’s victory completed the all-Bulldogs matchup, guaranteeing the university another individual championship opportunity.
For Villaflor and Zafra, the final also provides a chance to add another achievement to their UAAP careers.
NU Also Reaches Men’s Doubles Final
The Bulldogs remain in contention for another title in the men’s doubles competition.
NU’s Ben Dictado and John Benedict Gam recovered from a difficult opening game to defeat UP’s Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza, 12-21, 21-19, 21-13.
After losing the first game, the NU pair adjusted and fought back to take the second before completing the comeback in the deciding game.
They will face Ateneo’s Lyrden Laborte and Robby Ramos in the men’s doubles final scheduled for 11:15 a.m.
The matchup gives NU another opportunity to collect gold, although Ateneo’s experienced pairing stands between the Bulldogs and another championship.
UP and NU Set Women’s Singles Final
The women’s singles competition will also feature a title matchup between two universities.
UP’s Brys Fuggan advanced after defeating Adamson University’s Roshella Quierez, 21-12, 21-13.
She will face NU’s Sab Amora, who defeated UP’s Anthea Gonzalez, 21-18, 21-16.
The final is scheduled for 9 a.m. on November 3.
Amora will be aiming to deliver another individual title for NU, while Fuggan will attempt to secure the gold for the Fighting Maroons.
UP and Adamson to Battle for Women’s Doubles Gold
UP also secured a place in the women’s doubles final through Kimberly Lao and Susmita Ramos.
The pair defeated Ateneo’s Althea Hernandez and Angel Valle, 18-21, 21-13, 21-15, recovering after dropping the opening game.
Their victory arranged a final against Adamson University’s Mary Untal and Jasmine Reformina.
The Adamson rookies reached the championship match after defeating Ateneo’s Daena Castro and Andrea Hernandez, 18-21, 21-9, 21-17.
The women’s doubles final is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
NU Already Has the Men’s Team Championship
The Bulldogs entered the individual events with momentum after winning the UAAP Season 89 men’s badminton team championship.
NU defeated defending champion Ateneo, 3-1, in the team final at Gameville Central Park.
Zafra and Villaflor delivered victories in the opening singles matches, giving the Bulldogs a 2-0 advantage.
Ateneo’s Robby Ramos and Lance Vargas secured a point in doubles, but NU’s John Benedict Gam and Jacinth Paul Ruedas won the decisive match, 21-19, 21-14, to seal the championship.
The victory gave NU the inaugural men’s team title under the season’s competition format.
WWC ONE MEDIA previously covered the NU men’s badminton championship victory and Ateneo’s women’s team title.
A Possible Sweep Could Strengthen NU’s Overall Campaign
With the men’s team gold already secured, NU has additional opportunities to collect points through the individual competitions.
The all-NU men’s singles final guarantees another gold medal for the Bulldogs, while Dictado and Gam’s appearance in the men’s doubles final gives the university another chance to finish on top.
However, the other finals remain competitive.
Ateneo will challenge NU in men’s doubles, while UP and Adamson are also pursuing women’s titles.
The overall championship picture depends on the points accumulated across the team, singles and doubles events.
The tournament’s new three-event format gives individual performances an important role in determining the final university standings.
What Happens Next?
The remaining individual finals are scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The announced schedule is:
- 9 a.m. — Women’s singles: Brys Fuggan (UP) vs. Sab Amora (NU)
- 9:45 a.m. — Men’s singles: Clarence Villaflor (NU) vs. Lanz Zafra (NU)
- 10:30 a.m. — Women’s doubles: Kimberly Lao and Susmita Ramos (UP) vs. Mary Untal and Jasmine Reformina (Adamson)
- 11:15 a.m. — Men’s doubles: Ben Dictado and John Benedict Gam (NU) vs. Lyrden Laborte and Robby Ramos (Ateneo)
The results will determine the individual medal winners and help settle the overall university standings.
For NU, the opportunity is especially significant. The Bulldogs have already secured the men’s team championship and are guaranteed another gold through their all-NU singles final.
Can Villaflor and Zafra turn NU’s guaranteed men’s singles gold into another milestone — and will the Bulldogs finish their UAAP Season 89 campaign with an even bigger championship haul?
