THE Philippines bowed to superior opposition in the women’s and men’s divisions yesterday as the Badminton Asia Manila Team Championships got going before a sparse crowd at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Filipina racket-wielders were the first to fall, being swept aside in Group Y by Thailand 0-5 in the opening match of the tournament organized by Smash Pilipinas-Philippine Badminton Association and supported by Smart, Cignal, Sports 5, Li-Ning Leisure & Resorts World Corp. and the Philippine Sports Commission.
In afternoon matches, their male counterparts also absorbed a 0-5 beating from powerhouse Chinese-Taipei in Group C of the competition serving as an Olympic ranking event by the World Basketball Federation and Badminton Asia.
Sarah Joy Barredo, the country’s top female player, put up a tough stand but simply proved no match against Chasinee Korepap, 19, No. 51 in the world women’s doubles rankings, who scored a 21-14, 21-15 triumph in 33 minutes of play in the third singles match.
Thais Busanan Busanan Ongbangrhumpan and Pornpawee Chonchuwong set the tone earlier, humbling Aira Mae Nicole Albo 21-8, 21-10 and Maria Blanca Ysabel Carlos 21-15, 21-12, respectively.
Jongkolphan Kittitharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai whipped Alyssa Ysabel Leonardo and Thea Marie Pomar 21-12, 21-13 while Korepap and Phatalmas Muenwon took out Joella de Vera and Chanelle Lunod 21-10, 21-8, completing a sweep for the Thais.
