UNIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons Shan Clar and Susmita Ramos captured the men’s and women’s singles Open titles, respectively, in the 2026 MIA Badminton Challenge Cup after beating higher-ranked opponents in straight games Friday night at the MIA Sports Center in Pasay City.
Clar, the UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year and currently ranked No. 12 in the Philippines, pulled off the men’s singles upset by dispatching top seed and Philippine No. 4 Rabie Oba-ob, 15-13, 15-8, in just 28 minutes.
The incoming third-year UP player said he focused on staying composed and treating each match as a fresh challenge.
“Since nag-start naman, ang iniisip ko talaga, hindi ko siya sine-set lang sa ngayong laro, na every panibago siyang laro, panibago siyang feeling, maging present lang ako,” Clar said.
Clar hopes the victory will serve as a boost as he prepares to take on a bigger role with UP in the coming UAAP season.
“Siguro sa mga susunod na tournament, hindi ko dapat isipin na nag-champion ako, kundi kung paano ko pa rin ‘to nakuha. Iyung hardwork pa rin at hindi nagkukumpiyansa,” he added.
Ramos, meanwhile, needed only 24 minutes to secure the women’s singles crown, beating fellow UP player and co-top seed Brys Fuggan, 15-11, 15-13.
The incoming UP women’s team captain entered the tournament looking to regain her form after an injury-hit previous season.
“Ang motivation ko po talaga is to get back to my peak performance po talaga, since last year it was a bad performance, especially coming from injury. I want na since malapit na ‘yung season, maipakita ko na prepared ako at ready to play for the UAAP,” Ramos said.
Ramos completed a two-title haul after teaming up with fellow UP co-captain Kimberly Lao to win the women’s doubles. The pair defeated teammates Anthea Gonzalez and Nikki Paz, 15-13, 8-15, 15-10, in a 39-minute final.
The UP contingent also took the mixed doubles title, with Enzo Rivera and Krissa De Leon beating former National University players Mike Minuluan and Sarah Joy Barredo, 15-10, 15-10.
Mike Maratas and Nestojan Tapales claimed the men’s doubles championship after overcoming UP-Allied’s Micheal Clemente and Rally Sports’ Neil Pineda, 16-14, 15-11.
Clar and Ramos received P10,000 each and gold medals, while the doubles champions also earned P10,000 apiece. Runners-up received P5,000 and silver medals, with semifinalists awarded P2,500 and bronze medals.
In the Under-18 competitions, World Juniors-bound Roaquine Ramos also emerged with two championships.
Ramos and Stephen Pantuan won the boys’ doubles after edging Whackers Badminton Development Center’s Van Joel Lucas and Glihord Suladay, 21-20, 16-14.
He later partnered with Enya Almazan to defeat Louise Bernardino and Andie De Leon, 15-10, 15-11, in the mixed doubles final.
The tournament will continue with the masters competitions, featuring doubles events for players aged 30 and above and 40 and above. (Adrian Co)
