Jelo Albo shook off a second-game setback to continue his title defense, defeating Robby Ramos in three sets, 21–12, 17–21, 21–8, in the men’s singles quarterfinals of the Philippine National Badminton Open 2026 on Friday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
Fresh off a runner-up finish at the Czech International Future Series, the incoming fifth-year University of the Philippines standout dominated the opening set before Ramos, an Ateneo de Manila University ace, responded by taking the second to force a decider.
Albo quickly regained control in the third set, wrapping up the one-hour-and-seven-minute match to advance to the semifinals and move within two wins of a third consecutive national title.
“Yun nga, galing ako sa abroad, so ‘yung expectations ng mga tao dito sa atin mataas kasi nakapag-place ka sa competition abroad. And hindi naman biro ‘yung competition compared here sa Philippines. So parang itong PNBO iniisip ko na lang na i-enjoy ko lang ‘yung game and kahit anong mangyari, ok na,” the Antipolo-born shuttler shared.
“Wala na rin naman akong dapat patunayan, so ibibigay ko lang ‘yung best ko,” Albo added.
Awaiting Albo in the semifinals is fellow national team standout JR Pandi, who secured his spot after defeating National University ace and two-time UAAP MVP Lanz Zafra, 21–14, 21–16. Pandi was last season’s UAAP Rookie of the Year.
The other men’s singles semifinal will feature Smash Pilipinas teammates Clarence Villaflor and Ros Pedrosa. Villaflor cruised past De La Salle University’s James Capin, 21–11, 21–7, while Pedrosa survived a tight contest against Ateneo’s Lance Vargas, 25–23, 21–19.
In the men’s doubles division, national team standouts Julius Villabrille and Solomon Padiz Jr. moved within a win of another title after dispatching Francis Haroun Sarmiento and Frankie Velasco Jr., 21–12, 21–9.
The former National University standouts will face University of the Philippines duo Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza, who defeated fellow Fighting Maroons Enzo Rivera and Yuan Abinales, 21–15, 17–21, 21–13.
In the other semifinal, Smash Pilipinas veterans Christian Bernardo and Alvin Morada, who defeated Nestor and Nestojan Tapales, 21–14, 21–19, will take on De La Salle University’s Rey Nier Dalimo-os and AJ Lorenz Jurada, who eliminated Lanz Zafra and Criz Ivan Dosano.
Meanwhile, Lea Inlayo moved a step closer to winning a third straight women’s doubles title after she and new partner Jeya Pinlac cruised past Adamson University’s Abbygail Barcelon and Jasmine Reformina, 21–13, 21–7.
The national team tandem will face University of the Philippines sisters Krissa and Patricia De Leon, who rallied past Bianca Carlos Badminton Academy’s Poca Alcala and Nica Songcuan, 17–21, 21–15, 21–14, in one semifinal.
Top seeds Andrea Hernandez and Mary Destiny Untal of Smash Pilipinas will take on UP’s Susmita Ramos and Dianne Libaton in the other semifinal after both pairs registered straight-set victories.
Hernandez and Untal defeated Jochelle Alvarez and Althea Hernandez, 21–15, 21–13, while the reunited tandem of Ramos and Libaton dispatched National University’s Gweneth Chiva and Alhana Mabale, 21–14, 21–14.
The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
