Patricia De Leon and Susmita Ramos paced the massive University of the Philippines contingent heading into the medal rounds following the conclusion of the qualifying playoffs of the 2026 MIA Badminton Challenge Cup on Thursday at the MIA Sports Center in Pasay City.
De Leon and Ramos, who will both play their final collegiate seasons in the upcoming UAAP competitions, will face each other in the semifinals of the Women’s Singles Open after dispatching their respective opponents.
De Leon, the UAAP Season 86 Rookie of the Year, defeated KBPA’s Rhea Manuel, 15–6, 15–7, in 19 minutes. Ramos, meanwhile, outlasted fellow Fighting Maroon Anthea Gonzalez, 16–14, 12–15, 15–12.
On the other half of the draw, UP upstarts Brys Fuggan and Kahrene Zapanta completed an all-UP semifinal, ensuring that all medals in the event will go to Diliman in the tournament backed by Rally Sports, Rally Sports, JPA Sports, Wilkins Pure, Minute Maid, and Playa de Nubla Private Resort.
“The past year, ang naging preparation ko is mahanap ko muna yung sarili ko. Pinrepare ko rin na ma-redeem ko yung sarili ko kasi ang dami kong nabalitaan na laos na raw ako, hindi na ko ganoong kinakatakutan,” said the 2025 Philippine National Badminton women’s singles runner-up.
“Gusto kong iparamdam sa kanila na may ilalakas pa ako,” the former University of Santo Tomas standout added.
(C) Susain Palgue/MIA Badminton
Rabie Oba-ob and Ivan Tuazon broke UP’s stronghold in the Men’s Singles Open, with Tuazon denying the Fighting Maroons an all-UP final.
Oba-ob defeated UST’s Aaron Bedaña, 15–8, 15–9, in the semifinals, but Tuazon made sure a Tiger Shuttler would finish on the podium with a 15–12, 15–13 sweep of UP’s Mohammad Jalmer Amerodin.
Fighting Maroons Ethan Dupet and Shan Clar will dispute the other spot in the finals in the tournament, which is part of the Philippine National Ranking System Super 500 series.
De Leon and Ramos made it two-for-two, also reaching the finals of the Women’s Doubles event.
De Leon teamed up with her sister, Krissa, as the 2026 PNBO bronze medalists defeated teammates Ella Bualat and Danica Comia, 15–7, 15–8.
Ramos and Kimberly Lao, meanwhile, stopped the run of Smash Pilipinas Juniors’ Enya Almazan and Zoey Bayudang, 15–8, 15–9.
The semifinals of all events will take place Friday morning, with the championship matches scheduled for the afternoon session.
