Solomon Padiz-Julius Villabrille tandem pulls off stunner to rule PH Badminton Open men's doubles

The medalists in the men's doubles division of the Philippine Badminton Open. Philippine Badminton Association

By Dugout Philippines

MAKATI—Solomon Padiz Jr. and Julius Villabrille pulled off a stunner at the conclusion of the 2023 Philippine Badminton Open, taking down heavily favored Alvin Morada and Christian Bernardo to win the men's doubles title, Sunday at the Dragonsmash Badminton Center.

The pair of National University and fellow national team (Smash Pilipinas) standouts Padiz Jr. and Villabrille completed the come-from-behind win pocket the victory over the 31st Iran Fajr International Challenge champions, 17-21, 21-17, 23-21, in this tournament backed by Yamaha, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, SMART, MWell, Maynila, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, and Meralco.

Villabrille expressed his gratitude to Mr. Manny Pangilinan, the godfather of Philippine badminton, and the Philippine Badminton Association for having this tournament back after three years.

"Sobrang saya dahil hindi namin ine-expect 'tong pagkapanalo namin. Basta ang mindset namin ng partner ko is 'Laban lang.' Wala namang mawawala sa 'min. Bigay lang namin at magpakita kami kay boss, family, at sa fans na nag-aabang sa 'min." he shared.

Villabrille earlier won the mixed doubles title alongside Nicole Albo, bringing down Padiz Jr. and Lea Inlayo in a similar comeback, 13-21. 24-22, 21-18 in 70 minutes.

Albo and Inlayo, on the other hand, also went the distance against Thea Pomar and Lea Inlayo, 13-21, 24-22, 21-13, to pocket the women's doubles plum after a 50-minute marathon.

The champions in the doubles play got a trophy, gold medals, and P 150,000 for each pair while the runners-up had P 75,000 and silver medals. Each semifinalist pair was awarded P 20,000 and bronze medals.

In singles play, Smash Pilipinas upstarts Mark Velasco and Mika De Guzman produced contrasting wins to bag the men's and women's singles titles, respectively, in this Super 500 tournament also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Velasco, who dealt top-seed Ros Pedrosa the upset just the other day, had to work his way past fellow NU shuttler Lanz Zafra, 17-21, 21-12, 21-17.

De Guzman, on her part, ended her dominant run in the Open with a 21-10, 21-7 win over Christel Rei Fuentespina.

Velasco and De Guzman each received P 70,000, a trophy, and gold medals, while Zafra and Fuentespina each collected P 35,000 and silver medals. The singles semifinalists each got P 15,000 and bronze medals.

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