Thais too tough for Philippines shuttlers

MANILA, Philippines — Host Philippines absorbed a painful shutout at the hands of Southeast Asian powerhouse Thailand at the start of the 2020 Badminton Asia Manila Team Championships at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum yesterday.

The Thais, composed mostly of the squad that bagged the women’s team gold medal in the 30th SEA Games, won it by taking the first three singles matches ignited by a 21-8, 21-10 win by 2015 SEAG gold medal winner Busanan Ongbamrungphan over Airah Mae Nicole Albo.

Maria Bianca Ysabel Carlos and Sarah Joy Barredo tried to put up a fight but ended up with stinging defeats to Pornpawee Chochuwong, 15-21, 12-21, and Chasinee Korepap, 14-21, 15-21, respectively.

Although the match had been decided, Team Phl opted to play the two doubles matches that also ended with the hosts on the losing end, resulting to a 5-0 shutout loss this tournament backed by SMART Communications Inc., MVP Sports Foundation, Leisure and Resorts World Corp., Cignal and TV5.

Alyssa Ysabel Leonardo and Thea Marie Pomar fell to SEAG gold medalists Jongkolphan Kittharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai, 12-21, 13-21, while Joella Geva de Vera and Chanelle Lunod bowed to Chasinee Korepap and Phaitaimas Muenwong, 10-21, 8-21.

The men’s squad was no different as it was swamped by Chinese Taipei, bannered by world No. 2 Chou Tien Chen, who smashed Ros Leonard Pedrosa, 21-12, 21-8.

Lee Yang and Wang Chi Lin walloped Peter Gabriel Magnaye and Alvin Morada, 21-9, 21-12, and Wang Tzu Wei turned back Lanz Ralf Zafra, 21-15, 21-17, to seal the deal at 3-0.

The last two matches, both non-bearing, were being played at press time.

The Philippines hopes to do better as it faces another powerhouse squad in Indonesia at 10 a.m. today.

The event pushed through despite the coronavirus scare that forced the withdrawal of three teams. As precaution, those allowed to watch the matches, including families of the players, were advised to wear face masks.