National junior team upstarts Enya Almazan and Roaquine Ramos kicked off their bid for the under-18 mixed doubles title in the 2026 MIA Badminton Challenge Cup with a thrilling 15–12, 15–11 sweep of Elfranz Dahino and Roshie Quierez on Wednesday at the MIA Sports Center in Pasay City.
The small but determined contingent from the Smash Pilipinas juniors squad is using the tournament, backed by Rally Sports, JPA Sports, Wilkins Pure, Minute Maid, and Playa de Nubla Private Resort, as preparation for next month’s World Junior Championships.
For first-time partners Almazan and Ramos, it was a good start as they advanced to the quarterfinals.
“It’s a good preparation po for the upcoming World Juniors po kasi we’re able to play against UAAP players and other players rin po. Dito po namin makikita yung skills and shots na kailangan pa po naming ayusin,” said Almazan, who also advanced to the Round of 16 in the Women’s Doubles Open with Zoey Bayudang.
Bayudang and Almazan took down University of the Philippines’ Dianne Libaton and Shei Dela Cruz on Tuesday, 15–6, 15–10.
(C) Susain Palgue/MIA Badminton
Also in the under-18 mixed doubles, Almazan and Ramos will take on Antonio Jose Marzo Bergonio and Liezel Fernandez, who escaped Josiah Linoy and Janhelo Palanca, 20–18, 10–15, 16–14, for a place in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, singles top seeds Wyle John Nellas and Akeila Saavedra, both of Whackers Badminton Development Center, took care of their respective foes to advance in this Philippine National Ranking System Super 500 tournament.
Nellas first swept National Academy of Sports’ Stephen Pedrabuena, 15–5, 15–4, in just 12 minutes in the Round of 32 before defeating Mega Smasher’s Marcus Chase Gaw, 15–6, 15–7, in the following round.
Saavedra, on the other hand, needed just 18 minutes to dispatch Jhoana Hernandez, 15–8, 15–7, and book her spot in the quarterfinals.
