RP badminton duo ready for battle
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 14 Dec 2009
VIENTIANE ---Despite facing the toughest field ever assemble in the Southeast Asian Games, youthful Patricque Magnaye and seasoned internationalist Jaime Junio Jr., expressed confidence on their chances in the 25th SEAG badminton event here.
?We came here physically and mentally ready. We know for sure that the field is very strong but we will do our best and hopefully make it to the next round one after the other,? said Junio, who work as trainer and coach of the Wacker Badminton Club in Laguna.
After the draw last Tuesday, the 29-year old product of the University of the Philippines meets Ashton Chen of Singapore in the opening men?s singles today. If Junio makes it, his next opponent is either world No.5 Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia or Malasyia?s no. 3 player Muhammad Hafiz.
?After (hopefully) light workout with Laos, mapapalaban ako nang todo sa next round, I?ll try my best na makapasok sa semifinals, said Juinio, a former UAAP standout.
Magnaye, a 19-year-old member of the UAAP men?s champion University of Santo Tomas, also draw a lightly rival in Phakornkham of Laos in the other single event. But his next opponent is no less than World No.1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia.
Other noted players in the field are Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand, Singaporean No.3 player Derek Wong and Muhammad Hafizhas of Malaysia.
?The best in the world are here its great playing against some of the best players. Malaking bagay ito para sa akin para at least matutunan ko maige ang mga dapat ko pang gawin para ma-improved ang aking skills,? said Magnaye.
Despite, the odds, Philippine Badminton Association (PBA) second vice president and team manager Jose ?Joey? San Andres is happy to see that Filipino players are playing here and make the proper representation in the federation.
?SEAG is not just competition, but friendship and camaraderie. Imagine, if we failed to send players here, hindi ba mukhang kawawa at nakakahiya tayo rito,? said San Andres, who solicited financial support with the help of acting PBA chief Errol Chan to Yonex and personal friends.
Coach Ronald Magnaye, a former national player himself, said the players are focused and upbeat.
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