Mikaela De Guzman needed just 34 minutes to dispatch Anthea Gonzalez, 21-15, 25-12, and advance to the quarters in the women’s singles of the 2023 Philippine Badminton Open Thursday at the Dragonsmash Badminton Center.
The UAAP Season 85 Most Valuable Player used her experience to the max to overwhelm the league’s top rookie in the tournament back by Yamaha, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, MWell, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, and Meralco.
Second-seed Christal Fuentespina also moved on to the next round by downing Khylle Marie Agura, 21-8, 21-6.
Alyssa Leonardo and Thea Pomar scored a 21-13, 21-7 win over Agura and Phoebe Villaflor to pace the women’s doubles quarterfinalists along with fellow national team stalwarts Nicole Albo and Lea Inlayo, winners against Nica Songcuan and Zyrish Camba, 21-11, 21-9.
In the men’s side, 31st Iran Fajr International Challenge champions Alvin Morada and Christian Bernardo defeated Jireh Keane Ortega and Josh Defensor, 21-12, 21-14, to lead the pairs going into the next phase. Julius Villabrille and Solomon Padiz Jr. booked their places as well, shooting down James Villarante and Ariel Magnaye, 21-10, 21-16.
Morada and Leonardo also made the next round of the mixed doubles side after outlasting Ron Jacob Gavile and Rhafi Santos, 21-14, 21-17. Pomar and Bernardo also move on with a come-from-behind win past Geva De Vera and Magnaye, 6-21 21-15, 21-18.
Catch the games live on PBAD-Smash Pilipinas’ Facebook page (https://web.facebook.com/pbasmashpilipinaspage).
