De Guzman, Albo reign anew with rousing title defenses at PBO

Mika De Guzman and Jelo Albo lived up to expectations, successfully defending their women's and men's singles crowns at the conclusion of the week-long Philippine National Badminton Open 2026 on Sunday, July 12, at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City. De Guzman, the 2025 MAXX North Harbour International runner-up, captured her fourth consecutive title in dominant fashion, sweeping the competition without dropping a single game throughout the tournament presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, MVP Sports Foundation, Smart, Cignal, Yonex, Sunrise, Maynilad, and MWell. The Ateneo de Manila University product asserted control from the opening rally and never looked back, overpowering her UAAP Season 86 co-MVP and former collegiate teammate Jochelle Alvarez, 21–6, 21–7, in a 30-minute final. “This is so big for me. I think every year andami kong iba’t ibang nakakalaban; a lot of rising stars willing to get the championship, but I’m happy that I’m always there on top being the champion,” said De Guzman. “As I said, it was different players every year po that are eyeing the championship, but I’m very happy that my coaches from PBad — coach Joper (Escueta), coach Kenneth (Monterubio), coach Ariel (Magnaye), and coach Kennie (Asuncion-Robles) — really helped us to give our best in every tournament that we play, and help us be physically and mentally ready,” added the four-time UAAP MVP. In the men's singles final, Albo had to dig deep after dropping the opening set before completing an 18–21, 21–12, 21–14 comeback victory over fellow Smash Pilipinas standout Clarence Villaflor to secure his third straight championship. Villaflor controlled the tempo in the first game and held off Albo in the closing points to seize the early advantage. But the University of the Philippines standout responded with his trademark aggressive play, taking command of the next two sets...