Filipino bets settle for FDG silver

MANILA, Philippines — Kenneth Monterubio and Nicole Albo fell short of their respective title bids as they dropped straight-set loss to fancied foreign aces in the FDG Cup Open and Invitational badminton tournament at Powersmash Badminton Center in Makati Saturday.

Monterubio bowed to Des Adirangga of Indonesia, 19-21, 18-21, in the Open men’s singles finals while the young Albo succumbed to the power-hitting Lili Wang of China, 6-21, 10-21, in the women’s singles side.

Still, it was an impressive finish for the PBA-Smash Pilipinas bets with the No. 14 Monterubio upending No. 10 Ros Pedrosa, 21-18, 16-21, 21-10, to seal a title clash with Adirangga, who thwarted local ace R-Jay Ormilla, 23-21, 21-16, in the two-weekend ranking tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association.

The event is backed by Smart Live More, Smash Pilipinas, the PNRS and Partners Cup with Li-ning as official shuttlecock.