Mikaela De Guzman made strides in her title aspirations in the women’s singles of the 2023 Philippine Badminton Open after outgunning Anthea Gonzalez in their Round of 16 contest, Thursday at the Dragonsmash Badminton Center.
The UAAP Season 85 Most Valuable Player worked for 34 minutes to eventually finish off the league’s top rookie Gonzalez, 21-15, 25-12, to advance into the quarterfinals in this tournament backed by Yamaha, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, MWell, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, and Meralco.
Second-seed Christal Fuentespina also moved to the next round after taking care of Khylle Marie Agura, 21-8, 21-6 in her side of the draw.
Elsewhere, seeded pairs in the doubles events stamped their class to book their respective places in the last eight.
Alyssa Leonardo and Thea Pomar zoomed into a 21-13, 21-7 win over Agura and Phoebe Villaflor to pace the women’s doubles quarterfinalists, alongside fellow national team stalwarts Nicole Albo and Lea Inlayo, winners against Nica Songcuan and Zyrish Camba, 21-11, 21-9.
In the men’s side, 31st Iran Fajr International Challenge champions Alvin Morada and Christian Bernardo defeated Jireh Keane Ortega and Josh Defensor, 21-12, 21-14, to lead the pairs going into the next phase. Julius Villabrille and Solomon Padiz Jr. booked their places as well, shooting down James Villarante and Ariel Magnaye, 21-10, 21-16.
Morada and Leonardo also made the next round of the mixed doubles’ side after outlasting Ron Jacob Gavile and Rhafi Santos, 21-14, 21-17. Pomar and Bernardo also moved on with a come-from-behind win past Geva De Vera and Magnaye, 6-21 21-15, 21-18.
The fifth day of the tournament, which is also brought by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, continues with its quarterfinals phase.
