De Guzman, Albo keep badminton titles
Jelo Albo proudly shows off his championship trophy after retaining the Philippine Badminton Open men’s singles crown over the weekend at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
Photograph courtesy of PBO
Mika de Guzman and Jelo Albo retained their women’s and men’s singles crowns at the conclusion of the week-long Philippine National Badminton Open 2026 on Sunday 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.
The Ateneo de Manila University product asserted control from the opening rally and never looked back, overpowering her Season 86 University Athletic Association (UAAP) co-Most Valuable Player (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 I get to face a lot of different opponents, 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 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 to complete the historic three-peat in one hour and 18 minutes.
Both De Guzman and Albo were awarded a gold medal, a championship trophy, an MWell watch, and P100,000.
Villaflor and Alvarez received medals, watches, and P50,000, while the second runners-up got medals, watches and P15,000.