Home bets reach PH International Challenge men’s doubles semis

Solomon Padiz and Julius Villabrille in action during the Philippine International Challenge at Gameville Central Park. –HANDOUT PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Julius Villabrille and Solomon Padiz Jr. moved within a win of the men’s doubles final of the Philippine International Challenge badminton tournament on Friday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong.

The three-time national champions rallied past Malaysia’s Bryan Jeremy Goonting and Muhammad Haikal, 19-21, 21-19, 21-8, survived a tightly contested second set before dominating the decider, using an 8-0 run to secure a semifinal berth.

READ: PH Badminton Association aims to develop grassroots, nat’l team thru tournaments

“The second set was really close. They would take the lead, then we’d take it back. We just managed to keep it together,” Villabrille said. “They almost stole this from us, so we really had to stay focused. Thankfully, we were still able to pull out the third set.”

The victory moved the Filipino pair one win away from another championship match after winning the PETRONAS International Challenge title in 2024.

As the last remaining Filipino tandem in the tournament, Villabrille and Padiz hope to keep the country’s campaign alive.

“That’s what my partner and I will be thinking about now. This isn’t just for us anymore—it’s for the country,” Padiz said.

Villabrille and Padiz, who are bound for the World Championships later this year, will face either Malaysia’s Hon Jian Choong and Vin Sean Wong or Indonesia’s Yeremia Rambitan and Patra Rindorindo for a place in Sunday’s final.

The Filipinos’ victory provided the lone bright spot for the hosts after Clarence Villaflor bowed out in the men’s singles quarterfinals.

Fourth-seeded Alap Mishra of India defeated Villaflor, 21-16, 21-14, to lead an all-Indian semifinal cast. Mishra will face Ginpaul Sonna, while Aryamann Tandon takes on Pranay Katta in the other semifinal.

In the women’s singles, top-seeded Thai Tidapron Kleebyeesun advanced to the semifinals after rallying past Indonesia’s Dalila Aghnia Puteri, 19-21, 21-12, 21-13. She will face compatriot Anyapat Phichitpreechasak, while fellow Thais Ketklieng and Sarunrak Vitisarn meet in the other semifinal.