MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine badminton team began their campaign in the 30th Southeast Asian Games with impressive wins at the start of the individual events, Thursday at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.

SMART National Open champion Bianca Carlos took the limelight, completing a rousing win against Vietnam’s Nguyen Thuy Linh in the women’s singles Round of 16.

The former UAAP Most Valuable Player found herself dragged into a decider, but eventually took the win at 21-13, 14-21, 21-12.

Ros Pedrosa and Lanz Zafra moved into the quarterfinals of the men’s singles after pulling off contrasting wins.

The 2019 SMART Open winner denied the upset-conscious Aung Myo Myo Htoo of Myanmar in two games, 23-21, 21-19.

On the other hand, Zafra made an impressive Games debut in thriller over Vietnam’s Nguyen Hai Dang with 21-18, 11-21, 21-18.

In the mixed doubles, Alyssa Leonardo and Alvin Morada prevented an early shutout for the Filipinos in this event. They defeated Nguyen Van Viet and Dinh Thi Phuong Hong, 20-22, 21-14, 21-12, to advance into the last eight as well.

Nicole Albo and the pair of Ariel Magnaye and Thea Pomar were not as fortunate, losing their round of 16 matches and eventual elimination.

The UAAP Season 80 MVP Albo absorbed a sorry three-setter from Selvaduray Kisona of Malaysia, 21-18, 10-21, 15-21.

Meanwhile, Magnaye and Pomar were overpowered by Indonesians Rinov Rivaldy and Phita Haningtyas Mentari at 21-18, 21-12.

The quarterfinals of all the individual events are scheduled on Friday, December 6. (LO/IAMIGO/CNS)