Gelita Castilo completed a dream weekend by claiming two titles in the women’s and mixed doubles 30-and-above divisions of the 2026 MIA Badminton Challenge Cup on Sunday at the MIA Sports Center in Pasay City.
Castilo, who now coaches young shuttlers at DGS Bulacan, showcased the pedigree that made her the UAAP Season 79 MVP and a multiple-time champion with Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines.
She first partnered with Patricia Barredo to capture the women’s doubles title before teaming up with Mike Minuluan to complete her double championship in the mixed doubles division.
Castilo and Barredo capped their undefeated campaign with a dominant 15–11, 15–6 victory over Lea Hermosilla and Lanie Reyes in the women’s doubles final of the tournament, which was backed by Rally Sports, JPA Sports, Wilkins Pure, Minute Maid, and Playa de Nubla Private Resort.
The two former UAAP standouts eventually went their separate ways in the mixed doubles event, but Castilo still emerged as a double champion after she and Minuluan outclassed Barredo and John Paul Yabut, 15–6, 15–2, in the final round-robin playoff match.
The victory also served as the virtual championship match in the Philippine National Ranking System Super 500 tournament.
“Actually, bonus na lang talaga yung mag-champion. Hindi ko naman iniisip mag-champion kasi ang lalakas rin ng mga kalaban namin, pero thankful kay Lord na ginabayan niya kaming lahat,” said Castilo.
“Nag-champion; kaya ko pa pala. Actually, wala talagang ganoong preparation, pero ito lang, passion ko kasi eh. Siguro ano, tibay na lang ng loob,” the seasoned shuttler added.
Minuluan also finished the tournament with two medals, having secured the mixed doubles open silver medal with Sarah Joy Barredo earlier in the week before winning the 30-and-above gold with Castilo.
(C) MIA Badminton
Rabie Oba-ob, meanwhile, also collected two medals during the tournament, winning the men’s doubles 30-and-above title with fellow National University product Alem Palmares.
Oba-ob had earlier missed out on a double championship after losing the men’s singles open title to his University of the Philippines mentee, Shan Clar. However, he made sure to claim a championship in the 30-and-above division alongside Palmares, defeating Mark John Sabarre and Yabut, 15–8, 11–15, 15–5, in the final.
“Grateful ako ng sobra-sobra, kasi although wala masyadong preparation, nabigay ko yung best ko ng safe at nag-enjoy ako,” said the country’s No. 4 men’s singles player, reflecting on his tournament campaign.
“Masaya rin kasi first time kong naglaro sa 30-up and nag-champion. Kaya grateful ako sa lahat ng nangyari the whole week,” added Oba-ob, a Philippine Air Force airman first class.
In the 40-and-above age group, Marlon Villarin emerged as the biggest winner after claiming titles in both the men’s and mixed doubles divisions.
Villarin and Ian Mendez completed a sweep of the men’s doubles round-robin playoffs, highlighted by a three-set, 15–13, 12–15, 15–8 victory over Jose Benipayo and Melvin Llanes.
Villarin then teamed up with his wife, Joan, to capture the mixed doubles title after Rodil Sertan and Melody Amoroso retired early in the championship match due to Sertan’s mobility issues.
