The Ateneo men's badminton team after its triumphant campaign in UAAP Season 88, October 22, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall. UAAP Media
MANILA -- Ateneo de Manila University secured the UAAP Season 88 men's badminton crown in emphatic fashion on Wednesday, as they completed a perfect campaign by sweeping the University of the Philippines in the Finals.
The Blue Eagles swept the Fighting Maroons, 3-0, at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall for their sixth overall men's badminton crown, and second in the past three years.
The dominant victory capped a perfect 7-0 campaign for Ateneo, with rookie sensation JR Pandi shining brightest under the lights of the championship stage.
READ: UP, Ateneo arrange championship showdown in men's badminton
Ateneo rookie JR Pandi in action against UP in the UAAP Season 88 men's badminton Finals, October 22, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall. UAAP Media
Pandi, who missed Ateneo's first three ties due to his stint with the national juniors team at the World Junior Championships in Guwahati, India, returned just in time to prove his worth.
The 18-year-old phenom opened the Finals with a stunning victory over his Smash Pilipinas senior Jelo Albo, 21-15, 21-19, setting the tone for Ateneo's dominant title clincher.
From the first serve, Pandi was fearless — attacking early, defending smartly, and never letting the previously undefeated Albo dictate the pace.
Despite Albo's spirited fight in the second game, Pandi's poise and precision sealed the 53-minute match in straight sets.
Senior Lyrden Laborte, Ateneo's co-captain and Season 86 co-MVP, then showcased his grit in the second singles match.
After dropping the first game, Laborte stormed back with relentless consistency to outlast Kervin Llanes, 17-21, 21-15, 21-8, giving the Blue Eagles a 2-0 cushion.
That set the stage for Pandi's encore — this time alongside graduating senior Arthur Salvado Jr. in the doubles match.
Facing Albo and Mark Anthony Bernal, the pair displayed calm and chemistry under pressure, overcoming an early deficit in the opening game before locking in defensively and turning the tide with crisp transition attacks. The duo completed the sweep, 24-22, 21-11, to deliver Ateneo's golden finish.
"Happy po ako na sa first year ko, nag-champion po ulit kaming Ateneo team. Kahit na hindi po ako nakapaglaro nung mga first ties, OK lang naman po. At least, nakapag-contribute po lahat sa tulong rin ng coaches, we able to get this win," said Pandi, a product of Ragayan National High School.
"Yung mindset po namin talaga, kailangan po naming isa-isip 'yung kung ano ba 'yung goal namin this season, and sa tulong nga po ng coaches. 'Yung sacrifices namin na magigising kami nang maaga, and pagkatapos rin po ng training may classes. Thankful po kami na nagbunga 'yung mga sacrifices namin," the first-year Interdisciplinary Studies major added.
Ateneo's Lyrden Laborte in action against UP in the UAAP Season 88 men's badminton Finals, October 22, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall. UAAP Media
The championship also broke the tie between Ateneo and UP, who entered the Finals with five titles apiece.
For longtime head coach Kennie Asuncion-Robles, last year's Finals defeat served as the fuel that reignited Ateneo's hunger for redemption.
"Definitely, it was one of the factors in this win, kasi dinibdib ng players 'yon. Sabi talaga nila, that's what we're gonna work for," said Asuncion-Robles.
"We never took anything for granted, even going into the Final Four, even if with the No. 1 position. Alam naming upsets can happen, and we were prepared for every challenge that comes our way. So, sa tingin ko 'yung preparedness talaga namin helped this time get the gold."
Meanwhile, National University, the dethroned champion, secured the bronze medal after dispatching De La Salle University, 3-1, in the third-place playoff.
Last year's MVP Lanz Zafra led the Bulldogs' bounce-back effort with a dominant showing, sweeping both his singles and doubles matches.
Zafra cruised past James Carl Capin, 21-7, 21-10, before teaming up with MJ Perez to take down Miguel Cuarte and Zaki Layno, 21-18, 21-19.
Lovic Javier, a Rookie of the Year contender, salvaged one point for La Salle after defeating Ben Dictado, 21-14, 21-10, but NU's James Villarante and John Benedict Gam sealed the bronze, 21-14, 21-18.