PH shuttlers, wagi ng bronze sa Sydney Open
NAKOPO ng Philippines mixed doubles pair nina Ariel Magnaye at Thea Pomar, gayundin ang women's doubles tandem nina Pomar at Alyssa Leonardo ang bronze medals sa katatapos na 2018 Sydney International Open sa Sydney Olympic Park Sports Hall sa Australia.
Bagamat ang badminton program ng Philippine Badminton Association ay kasalukuyang nasa rebuilding phase, hindi nagduda si PBA president Albee Benitez sa kapasidad ng kanilang mga players.
"We never doubted the team's ability to win. It is through international tournaments that we can validate our program," ani Benitez.
Ang dating UAAP Most Valuable Player na si Magnaye at kasalukuyang NU sophomore na si Thea Pomar ay semifinals ng mixed doubles event makaraang magwagi, 21-16, 19-21, 21-10 sa Kiwi pair nina Niccolo Tagle at Anona Pak.
Para sa women's doubles, nakipagtambal si Pomar kay UAAP Women's Badminton champion Alyssa Leonardo para gapiin ang New Zealand pair nina Pak at Fransisca Rahardia sa straight sets, 21-19, 25-23.
"Joining international tournaments have become significant for the development of our players. In a few years, the goal is to produce Filipino world champions, para sa bayan," ayon kay PBA secretary-general Christopher Quimpo.
Natalo sina Magnaye at Pomar sa Japan tandem nina Tadayuka Urai at Rena Miyauri, 20-22, 19-21 ss mixed doubles semifinals habang nabigo ang tambalan nina Pomar at Leonardo ng Chinese-Taipei duo nina Li Ting Peng at Chien Hui Yu, 11-21, 12-21.
"Congratulations to Peter, Thea, and Alyssa. You made the country proud!," pagbati ni Benitez.
Kasamang lumahok sa torneo ngunit di pinalad ns manalo sins Nicole Albo, Sarah Barredo, Joper Escueta, Paul Pantig, Alvin Morada, Ros Pedrosa, at Solomon Padiz gayundin sina Arolas Amahit Jr. at Ralph Mendez na nagsilbing team's head coaches.