ANTIPOLO CITY — Mark Velasco finally set his title-retention bid in motion in the men’s singles of the Philippine Badminton Open 2024 after a rousing 21-4, 21-8 rout of Pradeep Panneerselvam on Thursday at the First Pacific Leadership Academy here.
The two-time UAAP champion from National University had to go through an additional bye as both of his potential Round of 128 opponents were no-shows the other day, resulting in a bye for Velasco in the morning session.
“Hindi ko iniisip na defending champion ako. Ang iniisip ko lang is mag-focus, one game at a time. Kasi mas na-eenjoy ko kapag ganon at mas lumalabas ‘yung laro ko,” said the Smash Pilipinas standout about his mindset in this Philippine Super 500 tournament by Smart, Mizuno, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the MVP Sports Foundation.
Velasco will battle Clarence Villaflor, a 21-8, 21-5 winner over Raoquine Ramos, for a place in the Round of 16.
Also shining brightly on Day 2 is UAAP Season 86 co-Most Valuable Player Lyrden Laborte.
(c) Nicole Hernandez/PBAD
Laborte cleared two matches in a day to advance to the next round in both the men’s singles and men’s doubles events.
Laborte, a UAAP Season 86 co-MVP, defeated JVMBC’s John Vincent Macabenta in a 21-3, 21-2 victory that, despite the scoreline, lasted for 21 minutes.
He then partnered with fellow Ateneo upstart Charles Bagasbas to secure a 21-11, 21-9 win over Kryzler Villanueva and Zachary Chua of the Bianca Carlos Badminton Academy in the Round of 128 of the men’s doubles event in this Philippine Super 500 tournament supported by Smart, Mizuno, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the MVP Sports Foundation.
“After ng UAAP, hindi kami tumigil ng preparation kasi ni-look forward talaga namin ‘tong mga next tournaments,” said the 21-year-old Blue Eagle.
“For me, nung nanalo ako ng MVP, tapos na ‘yon eh. Sa tournament na ‘to kumbaga fresh start, pero it motivates me na pag-igihan at para ma-prove ko sa sarili ko na deserve ko ‘yon.”
Fellow UAAP standout and incoming third-year student-athlete Kervin Llanes followed a similar trajectory, winning both of his assignments of the day.
Llanes, a two-time Philippine Intercollegiate champion from the University of the Philippines, began the day with a victory in the Round of 128 of the doubles event with former San Sebastian College-Recolletos standout Rey Angelo Pedron, defeating Jowe Fabunan and Victor Lloren of DGS Apacs Bulacan 21-5, 21-10.
The 19-year-old product of St. Roberts International Academy emerged victorious over Kyles Corcuera, 21-12, 21-14.
At the top side of the men’s singles draw of the competition sponsored by Jollibee, Chowking, and FPLA, Philippine Air Force’s Rabie Jayson Oba-ob protected his half with a similar clinic past Luis Bernie Comiso, 21-8, 21-3.
James Carl Capin of De La Salle University, who won 21-9, 21-6 past Lj Bryle Lucas, will be up next for Oba-ob.
(c) Nicole Hernandez/PBAD
In the women’s singles, two UAAP standouts, Anthea Gonzalez and Sarah Joy Barredo, fashioned out contrasting wins to usher in the start of their event in this week-long competition brought to us by Maynilad, MWell, and Cignal.
Gonzalez, Season 85 Rookie of the Year from the University of the Philippines, needed three sets to stop Ateneo De Manila University’s Angel Valle, 21-14, 20-22, 21-9, while Barredo, Season 81 top rookie from NU, dominated Angela Manrique, 21-8, 21-7.
The tournament goes full throttle on Friday as action in women’s doubles and mixed doubles join the fray in the same Antipolo venue.
