Leonardo advances in two fronts

MANILA, Philippines — National team stalwart Alyssa Leonardo swept her assignments in an action-packed third day of the 2023 Philippine Badminton Open yesterday morning at the Dragonsmash Badminton Center in Makati City.

The DLSU product and her respective partners in the women’s and the mixed doubles events took down their opponents to advance to the Round of 16.

Leonardo started with a walkover win over Jane Ingrid Ramos and Shiella Mhae Garubat, along with fellow Smash Pilipinas standout Thea Pomar, in the women’s doubles event of this tournament brought by Yamaha, PAGCOR, MWell, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., and Meralco.

Protecting the bottom part of the bracket were second seeds Lea Inlayo and Nicole Albo, winners over Lopez sisters Marie and Mavic of UP-Allied Badminton, 21-11, 21-8.

Top seeds Alvin Morada and Leonardo then took care of their side of the mixed doubles draw with a 21-10, 21-11 conquest of King Arthur Espiritu and Elayssa Morada.

Morada also made it two-for-two, as he and fellow Iran Fajr International Challenge champion Christian Bernardo, also booked a place in the last 16 past Jerome Varquez and Nathan Ed Andre Chiu, 21-12, 21-11, in men’s doubles.

The action in mixed doubles continues later in the afternoon, with the singles players taking the courts as well in this tournament backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Catch the games live on PBAD-Smash Pilipinas’ Facebook page (https://web.facebook.com/pbasmashpilipinaspage).