Laborte’s advances to both singles, doubles at PBO 2024

ANTIPOLO CITY — Lyrden Laborte cleared two matches in a day to advance to the next round in both the men’s singles and men’s doubles events at the Philippine Badminton Open 2024 on Thursday, June 6, at the First Pacific Leadership Academy (FPLA) here.

Laborte, a UAAP Season 86 co-MVP, defeated JVMBC’s John Vincent Macabenta in a 21-3, 21-2 victory that, despite the scoreline, lasted for 21 minutes.

He then partnered with fellow Ateneo upstart Charles Bagasbas to secure a 21-11, 21-9 win over Kryzler Villanueva and Zachary Chua of the Bianca Carlos Badminton Academy in the Round of 128 of the men’s doubles event in this Philippine Super 500 tournament supported by Smart, Mizuno, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the MVP Sports Foundation.

“After naman ng UAAP, hindi kami tumigil ng preparation kasi ni-lu-look forward talaga namin ‘tong mga next tournaments,” said the 21-year-old Blue Eagle.

“For me, nung nanalo ako ng MVP, tapos na ‘yon eh. Sa tournament na ‘to kumbaga fresh start, pero it motivates me na pag-igihan at para ma-prove ko sa sarili ko na deserve ko ‘yon.”

Laborte’s day is far from over as the Cebu City native is scheduled to face Jc Clarito in the Round of 64 in singles play later in the day in this competition sponsored by Jollibee, Chowking, and the FPLA.

Fellow UAAP standout and incoming third-year student-athlete Kervin Llanes followed a similar trajectory, winning both of his assignments of the day.

Llanes, a two-time Philippine Intercollegiate champion from the University of the Philippines, began the day with a victory in the Round of 128 of the doubles event with former San Sebastian College-Recolletos standout Rey Angelo Pedron, defeating Jowe Fabunan and Victor Lloren of DGS Apacs Bulacan 21-5, 21-10.

In singles play of this meet presented by Maynilad, MWell, and Cignal, the 19-year-old product of St. Roberts International Academy emerged victorious over Kyles Corcuera, 21-12, 21-14.

Reigning men’s singles champion Mark Velasco has yet to step onto the court as both of his prospective opponents in the Round of 128 were no-shows for their scheduled match Wednesday afternoon, resulting in a walkover for the National University and Smash Pilipinas standout in the day’s morning session.

Velasco is hoping to finally get court time when he faces Pradeep Panneerselvam in the Round of 64 later this evening at 6 p.m. More matches in men’s singles are scheduled later in the evening, while women’s singles action commences thereafter at 6:40 p.m.

The tournament is set to go full throttle on Friday as women’s doubles and mixed doubles are set to join the fray in the same Antipolo venue.