In a nail-biting three-set match, spouses and No. 3 seeds Arolas and Mylene Amahit failed in their bid for the Open Mixed Doubles crown in the 2009 Yonex-Sunrise Philippines National Open Championships being held at the Yonex Badminton Club in Mandaluyong City. Up against the much younger pair of Michael Paclibar/Paula Chan (DLSU-Team Valencia), youth prevailed over experience this time around as Paclibar/Chan powered their way into victory in the closely-contested first round match, 21-13, 22-24, 27-25. Paclibar/Chan proceed to the quarterfinals where they will face Sonny Boy Montilla/Krisin Camille Yang (Trace College-Kawasaki-Whackers BA-UST) who defeated Joshua Coquia/Nica Torres 21-8, 21-6.

In other Open Mixed Doubles quarterfinal action, siblings Michael Brian and Therine Chan totally outclassed Noel Angleo Arboleda/Kristine Balgos (UP Los Banos) 21-10, 21-8, and will face Eidson Cupcupin/Melody Villaceran (Babolat-Philstar) in the quarterfinals. Other pairs completing the top 8 in the Open Mixed Doubles are Ronel Estanislao/Pauline Angelica Ramos (Allied-Victor PCome-DLSU), Reczon Salveleon/Jovalyn Cabanero (FEU), and No. 2 seeds Jaime Junio/Irene Chiu (Whackers BA-Ateneo Law).

Open Men's Singles

JC Benipayo (JC Badminton) barged his way into the quarters by defeating Raymond Padilla (RP Team) rather handily 21-17, 21-15. From the start, Padilla could not find his rhythm and couldn't control the shuttle as well as Benipayo. Benipayo now faces Ian Mendez (RP Team) in the quarterfinals. Meanhwile, top seed Antonino Gadi (Golden Shuttle Foundation) is looking very impressive in his win over Gabbie Villanueva (RP Team) 21-11, 21-12. Villanueva simply could not handle Gadi's powerful smashes, ending rallies quickly. Gadi now faces Kevin Dalisay (RP Team) who defeated veteran Jaime Llanes (JLTC Battledore) 21-12, 21-17.

In other Open Men's Singles matches, Andrei Babad (RP Team) survived a scare in another three-setter against Paulo Sunga (Golden Shuttle Foundation). Babad was streched to the limit by Sunga and managed to squeak in a win 24-26, 21-13, 23-21 to face Kelvin Panganiban (RP Team) in the quarters. Panganiban upset 2nd seed Wilmer Frias (RP Team) 21-14, 21-18. Rounding out the top 8 in Open Men's Singles are Heldenberg Dimarucot (UE) and Raphael Sanchez (Golden Shuttle Foundation).

Inter-Collegiate

It was down to the Men's Doubles match of the team tie between De La Salle University (DSLU) and Far Eastern University (FEU). Reczon Salvaleon/Wilfredo Amoroso (FEU) battled their way in three sets to win over Michael Bryan Chan/Michael Paclibar (DSLU) to capture the team tie for FEU 3 matches to 2. Chan/Paclibar, still high with their win over Heidelberg Dimarucot/Emmanuel Garcia (UE-RP Team) in Open Men's Doubles, failed to sustain their streak in this suspense-filled match which drew loud and boisterious cheers from their respective camps. DLSU, FEU, and University of the East (UE) now have identical 3-1 win-loss cards in the competition. The ultimate winners will be decided in the final round on Saturday (Oct. 20), when DLSU will face UE, while FEU squares off with University of the Phlippines-Diliman (UP)

Corporate Category

Fortune Tobacco def. Globe1, 3-0
Ayala Land def. PLDT2, 2-1
RCBC def. Indra2, 3-0
Globe2 def. CIGI, 3-0
Accenture def. Indra1, 3-0
PLDT1 def. Pilipinas Shell, walkover