De Guzman, Albo claim PNBO crowns
MANILA, Philippines — Mika de Guzman and Jelo Albo lived up to expectations, successfully defending their women’s and men’s singles crowns at the conclusion of the week-long Philippine National Badminton Open 2026 yesterday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
De Guzman, the 2025 MAXX North Harbour International runner-up, captured her fourth consecutive title in dominant fashion, sweeping the competition without dropping a single game throughout the tournament presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, MVP Sports Foundation, Smart, Cignal, Yonex, Sunrise, Maynilad and MWell.
The Ateneo de Manila product asserted control from the opening rally and never looked back, overpowering her UAAP Season 86 co-MVP and former collegiate teammate Jochelle Alvarez, 21–6, 21–7, in a 30-minute final.
In the men’s singles final, Albo dug deep after dropping the opening set and completed an 18–21, 21–12, 21–14 comeback victory over fellow Smash Pilipinas standout Clarence Villaflor to secure his third straight championship.
Villaflor controlled the tempo in the first game and held off Albo in the closing points to seize the early advantage. But the University of the Philippines standout responded.
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