Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2021 SEA Games

Smash head coach impressed by next gen of PH shuttlers


SMASH Pilipinas head coach Rosman Razak finally had a chance to see the badminton players of our country during the MVP Second Badminton Cup held from February 23-25 at the Olympic Badminton Center in Ugong, Pasig.

Despite local shuttlers not being able to play over the past two years due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Razak was pleased with not just the turnout but also the performances of the players.

“I think it’s a great tournament, especially for the players,” said Razak, who was hired by the Philippine Badminton Association last October.

“It has been so long already that we don’t have a tournament. Now, it’s the time for them to have a tournament and it’s a really good showing from them.

Of course, standing out in the tournament were national team players Ros Pedrosa (men’s singles champion), Thea Pomar and Nicole Albo (women’s doubles champions), and Solomon Padiz Jr. and July Villabrille (men’s doubles champions).

But what surprised the Malaysian tactician was the next generation saying, “I think especially from the youngsters because you can see all the youngsters really play so well in this tournament.”

2nd-MVP-Badminton-Cup-Day-3-De-Guzman-2 Smash head coach impressed by next gen of PH shuttlers 2021 SEA Games Badminton News  - philippine sports newsImpressing Razak the most were 20-year-old Mika De Guzman of Ateneo and 23-year-old Jaja Andres of UP — both of whom faced off in the women’s singles finals with De Guzman winning, 21-14, 21-17.

2nd-MVP-Badminton-Cup-Day-3-Albo-3 Smash head coach impressed by next gen of PH shuttlers 2021 SEA Games Badminton News  - philippine sports newsAlso catching the eye of the two-time Southeast Asian Games silver medalist were men’s singles runner-up Jewel Albo, 18; women’s doubles specialist Susmita Ramos, 20; and men’s singles fourth placer Mark Anthony Velasco, 20.

#ReadMore  UAAP 86 Badminton: Ateneo, NU dispose of DLSU, UST, book Final Four tickets

Razak knows and feels the importance of getting these players into the proper mindset and he can be seen talking to all the players after the games.

It is because the former Malaysian national team tactician believes that training and competition are two completely different scenes.

“Yeah, because I think I was here for almost four months already, and it’s always been in the training. The training is really good, but then, of course, the tournament is much more different,” he said.

“After this, I also have the idea how we need to move on because this is the real thing — we need to move up.”

With competitions left and right in the next few months — among others, the 31st Southeast Asian Games in May — the freshly minted coach and the rest of the federation need to up their ante. Adding to this is the fact that the country went medal-less when it hosted the previous edition on home soil.

I think, frankly speaking, we are still far from the other countries,” he opined. “However, I think we are in a good position to compete with the other countries.

“But of course, we need a lot to do in the future.”

Grew to appreciate various sports from tennis to judo. True-maroon kiddo since the new millennium. Fanboy. Singer. Occasional sports writer.


You May Also Like

ADMU

University of the Philippines captured a long-awaited UAAP Women’s Badminton crown, dethroning defending, ‘four-peat’ champion Ateneo de Manila University with a decisive 3-1 victory...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines have set up a third consecutive championship showdown after defeating their respective opponents in the...

ADMU

Ateneo and National University are set to meet for a fourth straight UAAP Men’s Badminton Finals showdown after prevailing over their semifinals opponents in...

ADMU

ATENEO DE MANILA and National University maintained their perfect 4-0 records in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Badminton Tournament following contrasting victories on Saturday...

ADMU

For Ateneo de Manila University, staying sharp is crucial to maintaining its dominance in the UAAP Women’s Badminton Tournament. Despite facing unforeseen challenges, reigning...

ADMU

Defending champions Ateneo de Manila University and last season’s silver medalist University of the Philippines secured the first two spots in the UAAP Season...

ADMU

UAAP Season 86 finalists Ateneo de Manila University and National University secured the first two spots in this season’s Men’s Badminton Tournament Final Four,...

ADMU

Susmita Ramos pulled off a stunning sweep in the deciding singles match to lead University of the Philippines to a 3-2 victory over National...

Advertisement