PLM @61 | Viñan-Cruz duo reigns supreme in PLM Alumni Sports League Badminton Championship

PLM @61 | Viñan-Cruz duo reigns supreme in PLM Alumni Sports League Badminton Championship

Rey Viñan and Erinn Cruz defeated John Panganiban and Ron Tribo, 3-1, to capture the PLM Alumni Sports League Badminton Mixed Doubles championship title in a best-of-five series held at Rajah Sulayman Stadium on June 20, as part of the university’s 61st founding anniversary celebration.

Viñan was named the league’s Best Player for his consistent performance throughout the tournament.

“50% ang trust ko sa sarili ko, 50% sa kanya, kasi I understand na bata pa nga siya. In the long run, mananalo kami dahil sa kanya. Kasi kami, pantay-pantay lang eh, siya yung cheat code,” Viñan credited his younger partner’s stamina and game-changing presence on the court.

“Since nu’ng unang game kasi namin, nakikita ko agad na pumapalo siya, and alam ko sa sarili ko na hindi ako papalo, kaya ido-drop ko, ise-set ko, and siya na bahala mag-command,” Cruz shared how they strategized during the tournament.

Panganiban and Tribo started strongly, stringing together consecutive drives to take the opening set, 11–4.

Viñan and Cruz bounced back in the second set by withstanding their opponents' aggressive attacks and outlasting them in extended rallies, 12–10, before carrying the momentum into an 11–6 victory in the third frame to move one set away from the title.

The pumped-up duo unleashed a meteor shower of smashes in the final set to claim the fourth frame and secure the championship, 12–10.

At the awarding ceremony, Panganiban and Tribo finished as first runners-up, while the pairs of Rowena Viñan and Jeremiah Ariola and Abby Salas and Noel Ayala shared second runners-up places.