JELO Albo upended top seed Jayson Oba-ob, 21-12, 21-10, to forge a men’s singles final with Clarence Villaflor in the 2024 Philippine Badminton Open yesterday at the First Pacific Leadership Academy in Antipolo City.

Villaflor, a 21-13, 21-16 winner over Arthur Samuel Salvado Jr. in the other semifinal, will face off for the championship at 10 a.m. today at the Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong City.

Titleholder Mika de Guzman and third seed Ysabel Amora, meanwhile, go for all the marbles in the women’s single final.

De Guzman, a three-time UAAP champion with Ateneo, overpowered fifth-seed Karyll Rio, 21-13, 21-10, while Amora downed Anielka Maeve Paz, 21-15, 21-12, in the other semifinal.

Christian Bernardo and Peter Magnaye pulled off a 21-17, 21-15 win over Kervin Llanes and Rey Padron to arrange a men’s doubles title duel with third seed Julius Villabrille and Solomon Padiz Jr. , which prevailed over Lanz Zafra and Nestojan Tapales, 24-22, 21-11.

Top seed Nicole Albo and Lea Inlayo advanced to the women’s double final at the expense of Marielle Alvarez and Patricia de Leon, 21-14, 21-19. Kimberly Lao and Patricia de Dios secured the other spot in the final following a 21-18, 21-13 conquest of Jennifer Saladaga and Rhafi Santos.

Villabrille and Nicole Albo later returned in the mixed doubles, advancing to the final after the top seeded pair eliminated John Gregg Paz and Marilou Dacillo, 21-11, 21-13. Bernardo and Alyssa Leonardo booked the other ticket with a thrilling 21-17, 18-21, 21-18 victory over Padiz Jr. and Inlayo.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado