Number two seed Lyrden Laborte opened his campaign in the 2019 SMART National Badminton Open with a quick win to lead the opening day winners, Sunday afternoon at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.
The 15-year-old, second-generation shuttler made short work of Miles Aguilar in two sets, 21-8, 21-6, in the 20-minute contest.
The win sends Laborte into the third round of the men’s singles open against Christian Selga, who won over Vinz Zafra in three sets at 16-21, 21-16, 21-15.
Former national team and De La Salle University standout Gerald Sibayan came out swinging with two wins to move into the third round as well. Sibayan first took down Aaron Prieto, 21-7, 21-13, in the tournament’s first match. He then survived Guillian Rodriguez later that afternoon, 20-22, 21-14, 21-10.
The other seeded entries who advance to Monday’s matches are joint-ninth John Yabut and sixth-seed Michael Cudiamat.
Yabut stopped Roswell Licong in two games at 21-13 21-19, while Cudiamat won on walkover over Joshua Morada.
The men’s singles event goes full blast in the third round on Monday, with top-seed Ros Pedrosa and the rest of the seeded players joining the fray. The former UAAP MVP Pedrosa will take on Vicarlo Buenaventira, Jr. to open his campaign.
Women’s singles and men’s doubles will also begin on Monday. Leading the ladies are seeded players Jeya Pinlac and Princess Barrientos, while sixth-seeds Gregg Paz and Orlan Ticala will also see action.
The tournament serves as a test event for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games badminton competitions.
