Campus Athletes Alert: Super Smash Brothers

Brother acts are rare in sports.

There are only a few that made their mark. There are the Younghusbands, Phil and James, for football, as well as their teammates Mark and Matthew Hartmann. In baketball, both professional and amateur, there are a few notable ones. There are the Dela Rosas, Ruben and Romy,and  one of them has a son playing for the San Beda Red Lions. Or how about the up-and-coming Ravena brothers, Kiefer and Thirdy, of Ateneo? Then you have the Alases – sons of Alaska assistant coach Louie Alas – Kevin and Junjun.

Comparisons will come and go. The public will scrutinize who the better brother is. It’s up to the siblings how they will treat it. And luckily, for Philippine badminton, Patrick and Justin Natividad are working hand-in-hand with each other, all the while staying competitive and promoting the sport.

In the recent Philippine Badminton Ranking System Open sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, the brothers both finished at the podium. Patrick placed second to Philippines’ No. 1- ranked Toby Gadi in the Men’s Open while younger brother Justin pulled the rug from under national no.3 Peter Gabriel Magnaye in the Men’s Open Under 19 en route to a third place finish. Patrick and Justin Natividad are the latest badminton superstars to come out of the Golden Shuttle Foundation, joining Gadi and reigning Women’s Open champ, Bianca Carlos.

Patrick (right) and Justin (third from right) Natividad share the podium in the recently concluded Philippine Badminton Ranking System Open.

“I played tennis at first,” Patrick, the elder brother, said. “But it was an outdoor sport and I had skin allergies so I switched to badminton. I liked the sport because it is a fast-paced game. It required a lot of energy and keeps me fit.”

Patrick Natividad’s decision to switch to badminton paved the way for his younger brother Justin to follow suit.

“I’m very lucky that I have a sibling who plays badminton,” the younger Natividad gushed. “He’s the one who usually motivates me to train hard and gives me pointers on what I have to improve on my game.”

The elder Natividad has been the No. 2-ranked player in the Philippines for quite some time now. And he sees potential that his brother displays, especially after that upset Justin scored against Philippine No. 3 Peter Gabriel Magnaye.

Patrick Natividad in action

“I was surprised  that he beat Peter Gabriel Magnaye, who is the third best player in the PBaRS,” Patrick added. “I know Justin was prepared for the tournament and had a good chance of scoring an upset against Magnaye.”

“It was a hard-earned victory,” Justin modestly replied when asked about his upset axe at Magnaye. “I really trained hard for it. The training here is very difficult. My physical strength and endurance vastly improved in the court and that paved the way for me to beat Magnaye.”

As for Patrick, his sights are set towards Philippine No. 1 and former Ateneo badminton superstar, Toby Gadi.

“I feel I am closer to my goal, which is beating Toby Gadi,” he explained. “Last time I fought with him in the men’s singles was two years ago and he beat me easily. Since he is also my teammate at the Golden Shuttle Foundation, we spar daily and I can’t seem to be anywheere close to him.”

“But after the seventh leg of PBaRS, that gap between me and Toby has narrowed,” Patrcik said confidently. “I know I need to prepare more for the upcoming tourneys for me to be better and to finally reach my goal.”

Justin, for his part, is already thinking ahead of his third-place finish, seeing a championship in the offing.

Justin Natividad in action

 â€œI shall try to improve on my weaknesses,” the youger Natividad shuttler vowed. “It would help me be a better player, and I shall improve on my techniques on the court so I will get that title.”

When asked who wins in a one-on-one match, Justin concedes to his brother.

“If we play, I’ll get beat. He (Patrick) knows my weaknessess and specialties. He’ll easily read my game that’s why I believe he’ll beat me.”

Patrick, on the other hand, downplayed it, saying that he and his younger brother play differently from each other.

 â€œI’m more of an offensive player, an attacker,” he shared. “Justin is a defensive type. He has better shuttle control and is very consistent.”

“I have a strong smash, or a strong hand, compared to other players. Justin may not have a strong smash but by setting and keeping his opponents moving, also makes him a tough competitor,” Patrick continued.

A compliment from the older to the younger.

That would surely keep them on their toes. Ready to swat the flying shuttlecock down their opponent’s court. This brother act is beyond blooming. It is ripe for the taking.

Taking badminton to newfound prominence that is.

What a doubles nightmare this will be, if they indeed pair up like the Asuncions.

Super Smash Brothers is what we’ll dub them.

Follow @PioStark for more sports commentaries, rising stars, and rising waistlines due to sports events.