Taipei subdues Singapore, tows Philippines to quarters

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese Taipei survived the upset try by Singapore to complete a two-match sweep of Group C and towed host Philippines straight to the quarterfinal round of the 2020 Badminton Asia Manila Team Championships at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum last night.

Shaken by a shock 16-21, 17-21 defeat by their top bet, World No. 2 Chou Tien Chen, to Loh Kean Yew in the first singles match, the Taiwanese struck back with Liao Miun Chun and Su Ching Heng blasting Jun Liang Andy Kwek and Loh Kean Heanm, 21-18, 21-15, in the first doubles and Wang Tzu Wei smashing Jia Heng Jason The, 21-15, 21-11, in the second singles to seize the lead.

Lee Yang and Lu Ching Yao downed Jia Hao Howin Wong and Chuan Shen Aaron Yong, 21-9, 21-7, in the second doubles to seal for Taipei a second match victory and a place in the quarterfinals today.

It rendered the third and final singles duel between Hsueh Hsuan Yi and Wei Hong Lee being played at press time non-bearing.

The Filipinos thus advanced to the playoff round after finishing second in their bracket with a 1-1 (win-loss) record.

The hosts scored a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Singapore Wednesday sealed by Solomon Padiz Jr.’s 21-10, 21-19, triumph over Weng Soong Darrion Michael Ng in the third and final singles.

Earlier, the Philippines suffered a numbing 0-5 shutout at the hands of Taipei in this tournament backed by Smart Communications, Inc., the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation, Leisure and Resorts World Corp., Cignal and TV5.