The Philippine men’s badminton team had an early exit after facing World No. 2 doubles player Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia, but they’re welcoming the lessons learned as they continue in SEA Games 2025 Thailand.
The Philippine men’s badminton squad exited the SEA Games 2025 team event early, but they’re still seeing the silver lining in the tough loss.
The Philippines exited in the first round, the six-team quarterfinal, after facing 2023 silver medalist Malaysia.
Jewel Albo fell in the first match, the men’s singles, against World No. 29 Leong Jun Hao, 17-21, 18-21.
Meanwhile, 2025 Philippine National Badminton Open men’s doubles champs Solomon Padiz Jr. and Julius Villabrille were stopped by MD World No. 2 Soh Wooi Yik and MD World No. 5 Man Wei Chong, 10-21, 12-21.
“We did our part, we did our best,” Villabrille told Cignal.
Still, they’re still staying in Thailand.
“We learned from the explosive balls, fast. Preparation for individual,” he added.
@onesportsphl EYES ON THE NEXT 🏸🔥 After bowing to world no. 2 Malaysia in the SEA Games 2025 Thailand Men’s team play, Julius Villabrille and Solomon Padiz Jr. discuss the experience and how the match now strengthens their build-up for the individual competition. | via Cignal #OSOnTheSpot #SEAGames33 #SEAGames2025 #SEAGamesThailand #TibayAtTatag
The doubles and singles events begin December 11.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE | Team Philippines competes at 33rd SEA Games in Thailand]
(With reports from Reg Lorque/Cignal)
Katrina Alba is a sports journalist and producer, notably with SportsCenter Philippines before taking on her current role at One Sports.
She primarily writes about basketball and volleyball, with experience covering the SEA Games, Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup.
Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.
