Mandaluyong City:National University (NU) captain Lanz Zafra has secured his place in the semifinals of the UAAP Season 89 men's badminton individual event. Zafra achieved a hard-fought victory over Ateneo de Manila University's Zeth Quiambao with scores of 21-14, 15-21, 21-14 in a match held at Gameville Central Park on Saturday.
According to Philippines News agency, Zafra is set to face Shan Clar of the University of the Philippines (UP) in the semifinals on November 2 at 1 p.m. Clar, who was named Season 87 Rookie of the Year, advanced after defeating Adamson University's rookie Steveric Muring 21-17, 21-16.
Zafra, a two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player, expressed his determination by emphasizing the significance of his final playing year and his goal to contribute points for NU's overall championship aspirations. Alongside Zafra, his teammate Clarence Villaflor also progressed to the next stage, defeating De La Salle University's Lovic Javier 21-13, 21-7. Villaflor will compete against Ateneo's Lance Vargas, who overcame John Vincent Saturinas of Adamson.
In the men's doubles category, La Salle's duo Karl Contreras and Gift Linaban pulled off an upset against NU's MJ Perez and Jacinth Paul Ruedas, moving on to face Ateneo's Robby Ramos and Lyrden Laborte. Meanwhile, UP's pair Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza earned a semifinal spot against NU's Ben Dictado and John Benedict Gam after defeating Adamson's team.
