Amahit, Guerrero propel Ducks

Southeast Asian Games veteran Bogs Amahit and promising junior Raquel Guerrero outlasted their respective rivals to lead the Duck Defenders to the title over the Heron Hitters, 3-0, Saturday night in the Philippine Badminton Tournaments (PBT) Invitational at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City.

Amahit, a member of the RP team that won the bronze in the 1997 Jakarta Games, played aggressively in the deciding third set to win the men’s singles title over three-time Asian Junior Championships campaigner Jaime Junio, 15-11, 11-15, 15-6.

In the opening ladies singles, Guerrero, winner of the JVC Open 18-under singles and doubles titles, put up a strong challenge against seasoned national player Alma Ledesma to prevail, 11-3, 8-11, 11-5.

Guerrero and Mylene Amahit, the talented wife of Bogs, outclassed Karyn Velez and Alma Ledesma, 15-4, 15-7, to complete the win in the country’s premier badminton series on television, which is sponsored by Sportshouse, PLDT Vibe and Yonex.

Bogs and Mylene Amahit, Guerrero, and fellow Duck Defenders Martin Araneta, Mark Mayo, Maiqui Laurel and team captain Salvador Banquilles received their gold medals, championship trophy and P120,000 in cash from Philippine Badminton Association vice president Gen. Edgardo Aglipay.

Silver medals and P80,000 in cash were awarded to the Heron Hitters of Junio, Ledesma, Velez, Migs Acosta, Tek Ming Kwee, Michelle de Jesus and team captain Martin Fernandez, while the Feather Whackers composed of Melvin Llanes, Owen Lopez, Mitsuyuki Kurosaka, Paula Obanana, Janina Paredes, Jeanette Banquilles and team captain Ricky Morales got bronze medals and P40,000 in cash.

Complete matches of the semifinal and final will be shown on RPN-9 on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. and on Solar Sports on Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8 p.m. with replays on Wednesday and Friday.