ROS PEDROSA and Mikaela de Guzman posted contrasting victories to clinch the men’s and women’s singles titles of the MVP Second Badminton Cup recently at the Olympic Badminton Center in Ugong, Pasig City.
The two mainstays of Smash Pilipinas proved their mettle in the respective finals against their opponents to clinch the championship trophies in the tournament backed by Smart, MVP Sports Foundation, the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Leisure and Resorts World Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments, Concrete Stone Corp. and Robinsons Land.
Pedrosa took down Jewel Angelo Albo in a thrilling three setter by completing a comeback in the one hour and 20-minute duel, 16-21, 21-15, 21-16.
Playing out of National University (NU), Pedrosa emphasized that veteran experience and game management were the keys to winning another title after his run at the 2019 Smart National Open.
“I always learn each time I compete,” Pedrosa said.
De Guzman, on the other hand, fended off Jaja Andres, 21-14, 21-17, to bag the women’s title.
“At first, I prepared mentally for this tournament myself with the help of my coaches in the national team, and of course, coach Kennie Asuncion, because this is my first time playing again this year,” said De Guzman, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 82 Rookie of the Year, said.
Pedrosa and De Guzman pocketed P25,000 each.
Fellow national team members Thea Pomar and Nicole Albo dominated the women’s doubles by coming out unscathed against University of the Philippines’s Lea Inlayo and Susmita Ramos, 21-15, 21-8.
NU standouts Solomon Padiz Jr. and July Villabrille closed out the action-packed three-day tournament with a rousing three-setter over veteran internationalist Paul Pantig and new partner Christian Bernardo, 21-13, 19-21, 22-20, in the men’s doubles final.
The Pomar-Albo and Padiz-Villabrille teams brought home P30,000 and P40,000, respectively.
Anthea Gonzales completed the women’s singles podium with a walkover win over top seed Sarah Barredo. Barredo, who retired in her semifinal match against Andres with a left knee injury.
Rabie Oba-ob beat Mark Anthony Velasco in the battle for third place playoff in men’s singles, 21-13, 21-19.
In doubles play, Alvin Morada and James Villarante were also awarded a walkover win against JM Bernardo and Michael Clemente to round up the podium. Jochelle Alvarez and Andrea Hernandez finished third in women’s doubles after beating Althea Fuentespina and Aubrey Masongsong, 21-15, 21-17.
National team head coach Rosman Razak was happy with the turnout of the tournament especially because the 31st Southeast Asian Games are approaching in May in Vietnam.
“I think it’s a great tournament for the players because it was so long after their last competition, really happy for the players,” the Malaysian coach said. “It is now time for them to have a tournament and have a good showing.”