Asuncions cop two titles in Australia, NZ

Kennie and Kennevic Asuncion pulled off a pair of come-from-behind victories to capture two crowns in Australia and New Zealand in a big boost to the top Filipino mixed doubles pair’s bid to regain their once lofty place in the world ranking.

Playing with renewed confidence following their surprising runner-up finish in the recent Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open, the Asuncions rallied from a set down to repulse the Aussie pair of Raj Veeran and Renuga Veeran, 18-21, 21-14, 21-17, and cop the mixed doubles title in the 2006 Ballarat Eureka International Championships in Ballarat, Australia last June 4.

Sustaining that momentum, the brother-sister tandem then hopped to New Zealand and again flashed the same kind of resiliency they showed Down Under as they completed a 17-21, 21-17, 21-13 victory over Daniel and Lianne Shirley, 17-21, 21-17, 21-13, to pocket the 2006 Babolat North Harbour International Championships in North Harbor, New Zealand.

Both events, which drew participants from England, Scotland, Ireland, Chinese-Taipei, Sri Lanka, Samoa, Fiji and Malaysia, were sanctioned as Grade A international tournaments by the International Badminton Federation (IBF) with the Asuncions expected to gain ranking points from their twin victories, including their second place feat in the RP Open, a four-star IBF tournament.

The Asuncions, playing out of the Golden Shuttle Foundation, reached No. 22 in 2005 but have since slipped to No. 56 due to lack of international exposure.

"These victories are not just for us but for the entire Philippines, and not just for the badminton community in the Philippines, but also for the Filipino communities in Australia and New Zealand," said Kennie, the older of the siblings.

In both wins, the Asuncions also gave credit to the support of the Filipino crowd.

"Some of our kababayans drove hundreds of kilometers, just to see us play and cheer for us. With this level of support, we played our best, and we were lucky enough to win the championships. For overseas Filipinos, this was a rare opportunity to see their country excel. By winning, I think we gave all the Filipinos in the crowd something to make them proud of their country," said Kennevic.

In New Zealand, the Asuncions also saw action in the singles events with Kennevic bowing out to top seed John Moody, 7-21, 18-21, in the quarterfinals and Kennie dropping a 13-21, 15-21 setback to fancied Rachel Hindley in the semifinals.

After drawing a bye in the first round in Australia, Kennie and Kennevic made short work of the local pair of Andrew Surman and Talia Saunders, 21-11 21-9, to advance to the quarterfinals where they walloped Benjamin Walklate and Eva Ratansena, 21-15 21-18.

They then ripped the fancied Australian pair of Ashley Brehaut and Erin Carol, both the number 1 singles players, 21-9, 21-18, in the semis to arrange a title clash with the Veerans.

In New Zealand, the Asuncions beat Craig Cooper and Donna Cranston in the quarterfinals, 21-9 21-16, then toppled siblings Geoff and Rebecca Bellingham, both mainstays of the New Zealand national team, 21-8 21-17 victory, to set up a titular showdown with the Shirleys.