Central Visayas sweeps NCR to retain Palaro badminton doubles title

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – With their powerful smashes and astounding coordination, Central Visayas’ Tricia Merced Opon and Elloise Marie Canillo have won back-to-back championships for the secondary badminton girls doubles category in the 2016 Palarong Pambansa on Friday, April 15 here.

Opon, 16, and Canillo, 15, hacked out a 21-17, 21-19 win against National Capital Region’s (NCR) Chanelle Lunod and Pauline Santos.

Opon’s hairpin net shots and Canillo’s striking kills overwhelmed NCR, 12-6, early in the first set. A stiff rally occurred later on but Central Visayas took the opening set with their sheer determination.

The second frame was a tight affair as the two teams uncorked smashing shots.

Despite Lunod and Santos’ feints, Canillo and Opon managed to maintain their focus and strategy and eventually won the game with a wood shot.

“Hindi namin inisip na porket mas malaki sila ay magpapatalo na kami (We did not let them beat us despite the fact that they’re bigger than us),” Canillo said.

This is the sixth year that Central Visayas has competed against NCR bets in badminton at Palaro.

When asked about their message to those Filipino athletes who aim for a gold medal in the Palaro, Opon said, “Magtrain sila ng maayos, mag-aral at mag-pray (They should keep training, study well and always pray).”

Calabarzon and Central Luzon are tied for bronze. – Joshua Caleb P. Pacleta/Rappler.com

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