Asuncions settle for second place

KENNEVIC and Kennie Asuncion came up with their worthiest performance but fell short of clinching the mixed doubles crown after absorbing a 21-18, 21-16 defeat to Sudket Prakamol and Saralee Thoungthongkam of Thailand yesterday at the close of the 2006 Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open at the PhilSports Arena.
       With vengeance at the back of their mind, the Asuncions played impressively, unleashing solid smashes and easy drops, but it wasn’t enough to stop the power smash of Prakamol in the second set.
       Trailing at 12-15, the Filipinos came to within 14-15, thanks to two net errors by Thoungthongkam on Kennie’s service and smash.
       But Prakamol and Thoungthongkam, currently ranked No. 13 in the world, responded with a 7-1 windup mostly on solid smashes and quick service attacks to bag the title.
       “We tried our best, I really believe that we played much better than before and we are improving. They are just stronger and higher ranked than us,” said the 29-year-old Kennie.
       The Asuncions earned points on several service and reception errors by the Thais, who had to contend with the wild cheers of the crowd.
       The Asuncions entered the match hoping to avenge their loss to the same Thais in the Asian Championship where Prakamol and Thoungthongkam eventually finished second. The RP pair, however, is hopeful at improving their current 69th world ranking
       “They still have to improve. I saw one or two weaknesses in their plays. They should learn how to stand their ground especially in the long rally,” said Thai coach Udom Luangphetcharaporn.
       The Thais, the 2003 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games gold medalists, pocketed $7,320, while the Asuncions received $4,800.
       Albertus Susanto Njoto and Yohan Hadikusumo Wiratama of Hong Kong beat Indonesia’s Hendra Gunawan and Joko Riyadi, 5-21, 21-15, 21-18, in the men’s doubles final. Zenaida Dadacay