Asuncions deliver for RP in Sudirman Cup

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines posted a 3-2 win over Portugal to place third in the Group Four competitions of the 2009 Sudirman Cup World Mixed Team Badminton Championship in Guangzhou, China. Kennie and Kennevic Asuncion clinched the victory in the mixed doubles event after beating Hugo Rodriguez and Telma Santos, 21-15, 21-11, in the fifth and deciding match. All in all, the Philippines, which competed in the Sudirman Cup for the first time, finished in 27th among 34 countries that were grouped into four based on their world rankings. The RP shuttlers trailed, 0-2, after Antonio Benjamin Gadi bowed to Pedro Martins, 21-16, 21-17, in the men’s singles match and Malvinne Ann Venice Alcala fell to Santos, 21-15, 21-15, in the women’s singles. But the Filipinos charged back, thanks to the Asuncion siblings. Kennevic teamed with Ronel Estanislao to win over Martins and Fernando Silva, 16-21, 21-13, 21-16, in the men’s doubles while Kennie and Gelita Castillo beat Ana Moura and Helena Pastana, 22-20, 21-12. The Philippines ended the single round elimination round in Subgroup A with three wins and a loss behind Switzerland, which breezed through with a clean 4-0 slate. The RP shuttlers won over South Africa, Turkey and Luxembourg in the eliminations to set a date with Portugal for the battle-for-third place. Switzerland advanced to Group Three after defeating Lithuania, 3-1, in the Group Four promotional tie. – GMANews.TV