Morada, Bernardo kicks off badminton title bid in style

ALVIN Morada and Christian Bernardo flexed their experience to set their men’s doubles’ title bid in style in the 2023 Philippine Badminton Open, Tuesday at the Dragonsmash Badminton Center in Makati City.

The recently crowned 31st Iran Fajr International Challenge champions took down Deon Omaña and Mark Adrian Banaag, 21-7, 21-12, to move into the second round against Jerome Varquez and Nathan Chiu in this tournament backed by Yamaha, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, MWell, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, and Meralco.

Elsewhere on the side of their draw, Allen Penute and Jeno Cariño pulled off an early upset over the duo of former national team standout Lanz Zafra and fellow National University student-athlete Zed Monterubio, 16-21, 21-16, 21-16. The action intensifies on the bottom bracket of the men’s doubles, paced by second-seeds Julius Villabrille and Solomon Padiz Jr. later in the afternoon.

In the women’s side, Shaynne Boloron and Palma Cruz of De La Salle University edged out Althea Fuentespina and Mica Airah Ibong of UP-Allied Badminton, 21-16, 21-17, to kick off women’s doubles action in their side of the bracket, which includes top-seeds Alyssa Leonardo and Thea Pomar.

Taking care of the other side’s start, Althea Princess Hernandez and Tia Kirsten Bualat of Whackers Badminton outlasted Jacqueline Pantoja and Katrina Togado of DLSU, 14-21, 21-15, 24-22.

Standing in their way if they go through are former UAAP standouts Airah Mae Nicole Albo and Lea Inlayo, and Andrea Hernandez and Susmita Ramos, as the second-ranked and third-seeded pairs, respectively.

Matches in the men’s and women’s doubles continue as of this writing in this tournament that is also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee. Also on deck are the men’s singles third-round matches.

THE Quezon Huskers are managing the expectations heading into their debut in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on March 11. Huskers coach Eric Gonzales said they are still in the process of forming a team that can compete and advance to the playoffs of the country’s most prestigious regional league.

Right now, the squad that is owned by Quezon Rep. Keith Micah Tan and San Andres Mayor Ralph Edward Lim is holding its regular practice at the Epsilon Chi Center inside the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City.

“We’re still in the process of assembling the team,” the 50-year-old Gonzales said.

“While everybody is very excited about the Huskers, we have to manage our expectations because we are such a young team. Winning is not an overnight process. We have to take it one step at a time.” Gonzales is coming in with sterling credentials.

He coached National University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines in 2010 before coaching Globalport in the Philippine Basketball Association in 2014 and 2016.

He also served as assistant coach of TNT Tropang Giga in 2018 before handling Iloilo United Royals in 2021 and formally accepting the offer laid down by team manager Atty. Donn Kapunan, assistant team manager Magnum Membrere and consultant Patrick Gregorio to coach the Huskers last month.

“We just conducted a very successful tryout in Quezon Province last week with the hopes of finding homegrown talents who can help us in our campaign,” Gonzales said.

“Unlike other teams who have been together for the past several years, our team is still being formed. With that, our goal is to win as many games as we can and—hopefully—make it to the playoffs.”