SEA Games 2023: PH badminton ends medal drought as women’s team shines

Photo from Philippine Badminton Association

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine women’s national badminton team secured at least a bronze at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Monday at Morodok Techo Badminton Hall.

The team advanced to the semifinals at the expense of Malaysia, 3-0.

It marked the first time that the Philippines assured itself of a medal in badminton since the 2015 Games in Singapore where Ronel Estanislao and Joper Escueta bagged the men’s double bronze.

Bianca Carlos booked the Philippines a semifinals berth with a 21-16, 21-18 win over 18-year-old Siri Nurshuhaini in the second singles’ match.

Mika De Guzman, earlier, pulled off a close 24-22, 21-18 decision over Tan Zhing Yi to put the Filipinas on the board first before the duo of Thea Pomar and Alyssa Leonardo outlasted Low Yeen Yuan and Valeree Siow 22-20, 19-21, 24-22 for a commanding 2-0 lead.

The men’s side, however, was not as fortunate.

Singapore’s Hee Yong Kai Terry and Nge Joo Jie booted out Solomon Padiz Jr. and Julius Villabrille from medal contention, 13-21, 21-19, 21-18.

The medal chances already looked bleak for the men’s team at the start of the day when Loh Kean Yew swept Jewel Angelo Albo, 21-14, 21-13.