Shuttlers wiped out

The national shuttlers shut down their campaign empty-handed for the second straight edition of the biennial meet

Smash Pilipinas crashed out of the medal round after absorbing defeats to regional powerhouse countries in the quarterfinal stage of the 30th Southeast Asian Games badminton tournament late Saturday at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.

Ariel Magnaye and Alvin Morada provided the biggest chance for the Philippines, but could not complete the upset of thirdseeds Yew Sin Ong and Ee Yi Teo of Malaysia in the men’s doubles. The Filipinos emerged from the tight first set with the victory at 21-19.

Unfortunately, the Malaysians showed their experience in the last two games to win, 21-12, 21-11.

A pair of Thais then sent the two Filipino men’s singles bets Alvin Morada and Lanz Zafra crashing.

Top-seed Kanthapon Wangcharoen dominated Morada in two 21-11 games while fourth-ranked Sitthikom Thammasin fended off Games rookie Zafra in two contrasting games, 21-19, 21-8.

Former University Athletic Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player Bianca Carlos also stuttered to a halt in the last-eight phase of the women’s singles. Top-ranked Thai Pornpawee Chochuwong overpowered Carlos with a 21-9, 21-10 rout.

Alyssa Leonardo and Thea Pomar were not fortunate as well, suffering a sorry loss from Thais Chayanit Chaladchalam and Phataimas Muenwong, in the women’s doubles event, 15-21, 13-21.

With that, the national shuttlers shut down their campaign empty-handed for the second straight edition of the biennial meet.