The Philippine women’s national badminton team has assured the country of at least a bronze medal in the sport at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games after advancing to the semifinals at the expense of regional powerhouse Malaysia, 3-0, on Monday at the Morodok Techo Badminton Hall.
This will be the country’s first medal since Ronel Estanislao and Joper Escueta bagged the bronze in the 28th Games in Singapore in men’s doubles.
Smash Pilipinas Women will take on the winner of the clash between Indonesia and Cambodia on Wednesday for a place in the final.
Quite fittingly, it was long-time national team stalwart Bianca Carlos who sent the Philippines to the last four. She scored a huge 21-16, 21-18 win over 18-year-old Siri Nurshuhaini in the second singles match.
Mika De Guzman earlier pulled off a close 24-22, 21-18 decision over Tan Zhing Yi to put Smash Pilipinas on the board first. Then the duo of Thea Pomar and Alyssa Leonardo put up the huge 2-0 advantage as they outlasted Low Yeen Yuan and Valeree Siow, 22-20, 19-21, 24-22 in the lone doubles rubber played.
Nicole Albo, Leah Inlayo, and Christal Fuentespina rounded up the squad’s supposed lineup for today’s tie.
On the men’s side, Solomon Padiz Jr. and Julius Villabrille could not contain the comeback from Singapore’s Hee Yong Kai Terry and Nge Joo Jie and absorbed a 21-13, 19-21, 18-21 defeat in the second doubles match.
The loss saw the men’s squad exit the Games in the team event.
Loh Kean Yew, 2021 men’s singles world champion, opened the day with a dominant win for Singapore, 21-14, 21-13, over the Philippines’ Jewel Angelo Albo.
The Filipinos then equalized with a similar clinic with 31st Iran Fajr International Challenge champions Alvin Morada and Christian Bernardo taking care of Jun Liang Andy Kwek and Loh Kean Hean, 21-14, 21-15.
Jia Heng Jason Teh then reclaimed the lead for Singapore with a solid 21-11, 21-11 victory past Lance Vargas in the second singles match.
