ANTHEA Gonzalez and Brys Fuggan opened their respective bids for the Women’s Singles Open title with dominant victories on the second day of the 2026 MIA Badminton Challenge Cup on Tuesday at the MIA Sports Center in Pasay City.
Gonzalez, who is set to play her fifth and final year with the University of the Philippines in the upcoming UAAP season, needed just 14 minutes to dispatch Lorraine Araneta of the Cardinal Shuttlers, 15–5, 15–1, and advanced to the round of 16.
“So far, okay naman po siya at first game ko pa lang naman po. Naibigay ko naman po iyung best ko and lumabas naman lahat ng pinag-training-an namin,” said Gonzalez, the UAAP Season 87 MVP.
Fuggan, meanwhile, made it an even quicker 12-minute clinic against Alexandra Gozon, cruising to a 15–3, 15–1 victory to advance to the next round of this Super 500 tournament backed by Rally Sports, JPA Sports, Wilkins Pure, Minute Maid and Playa de Nubla Private Resort.
“Ginagamit ko lang po iyung experiences ko last year, especially iyung mga opportunity ko sa international. Laging ang goal ko is makapag-uwi ng bagong knowledge, bagong play. And iyun rin nakatulong sa akin nung [Philippine National Badminton Open] quarterfinals against (Althea) Ocampo,” said Fuggan, who went on to finish as a semifinalist and podium finisher in that tournament.
Gonzalez will face Thi Thanh Nhi Huynh, who defeated Chutunit Duremdes, 15–9, 15–13, for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Fuggan, meanwhile, drew De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Frente Go, who advanced via a walkover against Kaitlin Panganiban.
The two led the other Fighting Maroons who advanced to the next round, with incoming captain Sushmita Ramos and Karen Zapanta also moving on.
Ramos, a former member of the Smash Pilipinas national team, defeated Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Habebe Berganio, 15–4, 15–3, while Zapanta advanced via a walkover against Samantha Ng. (Adrian Co)
