The Accountancy (ACC) Griffins and Business and Management (B&M) Vipers reigned victorious after a series of exhilarating badminton matchups that varied in intensity and character, with the Griffins finding triumph in the singles category, and the Vipers storming back to take their first gold in men’s badminton since 2023.

The ACC Griffins’ Kit Russtie Eling fought to victory after a semi-final against the Computer Studies (CS) Chameleons, booked his place in the final against the SEA tigers, who also fought a thrilling game with the SON Panthers that ended 31-25.

The match started with the Griffin fighting off an early Tiger lead to bring the first set to 14-11, but the Tigers’ persistence turned the set into a back-and-forth fight that never let either team take more than a one-point advantage.

That was the status quo until Eling started to take the initiative, with the set ending in a great sequence that forced SEA out of position, handing the Griffin a clear overhand shot to win the first set, 22-20.

The second set produced a scrap between the two weary players, whose exhilarating plays in the first set began to take a toll on both of them, but Eling came through and won the second set 21-15.

“Akong gihuna-huna ra jud is puso, puso lang gyud… nahutdan kog hangin, bai! Akong gibuhat is gi-take time lang ko, ginhawa lang lalom, unya inom lang ug tubig,” Eling shared.

B&M back on top in men’s badminton doubles

In the doubles category, Iago Yves Marapao and John Serg Bangoy led the B&M Vipers to glory in the fast-paced racket sport for the first time in three years.

The path began with a 31-28 victory against their ACC Griffins counterparts, who at one point tied with them at 27-27, but the B&M pair strung together consecutive points through good positioning and shot quality to close out the game.

The finals were a quick-fire, fast-paced display of B&M’s ferocity and determination to win, with the partners producing attacks point after point to end the first set, 21-15.

The second set began in the same manner, but a brief pause was called to nurse Marapao’s leg, which had begun cramping early on. 

Marapao recovered with support, and after some rallies, the pair returned from a 7-11 scoreline to level with SEA after the halfway mark, and successfully sealed a thrilling comeback despite the circumstances with a smartly placed drop shot.

“Atong last shot nako sa finals… worth it kaayo sa pagpugos ug dula, maskin nag-cramps ang duha ka tiil, isa ka paa ug isa ka bagtak,” Marapao expressed.

Reflecting on their run to the gold medal, Bangoy attributed their success to perseverance and teamwork.

“The key to victory today was teamwork and communication,” Bangoy said.

Marapao, able to play under normal conditions again after his earlier cramps, added his thoughts on how they were able to achieve a fulfilling victory.

“Perseverance, never giving up sa mga plays, maskin maka error, dili lang gihapon naga-surrender. Padayon lang,” Marapao added.

Both the men’s singles and doubles champions were not in short supply of support, as their family members and friends came to cheer them on. 

“I would like to thank our coaches, teammates who supported us. Coaches, parents, tapos sa mga nag-ampo na makadaog mi, and na walay mahitabo na dili maayo, mao ra akong pasalamatan,” Marapao said.

Eling, thankful for his victory, showed appreciation to his parents, who were among those supporting the players at the tournament.

“First, akong pasalamatan is ang nasa taas. Second is akong parents kay niabot sila diria, unya ang third kay ang mga teammates, kay sila ang nagpa-level up sa akoa,” Eling shared.

The men’s badminton tournaments were held at the M2 Badminton Center, Obrero, last September 27.