Antipolo City’s pride in badminton, national player Lea Inlayo, is at the cusp of supremacy in her sport as she advanced to the Finals in two events of the 2023 Philippine Badminton Open held February 25, Friday at the Dragonsmash Badminton Center in Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City.

Lea teamed up with Airah Mae Nicole Albo to beat Andrea Princess Hernandez and Susmita Angelique Ramos in the Semifinals of Women’s Doubles.

The pair will battle Alyssa Ysabel Leonardo and Thea Marie Pomar – who beat Alyssa Gwyneth Desacola and Jea Von Pinlac, 21-16, 21-19 – in the Finals Sunday, February 26.

In the afternoon Lea teamed up with Solomon Padiz Jr. to post a monumental upset as they overwhelmed Number 1 ranked Mixed Doubles pair Alvin Morada and Alyssa Ysabel Leonardo, 21-17 and 21-12.

The duo displayed raw power and dazzling versatility with Lea able to attack with jump smashes from the back and Padiz able to poach skillfully when he is at the front.

They will likewise advance to the Finals tomorrow Sunday, February 26, 2023 when meet Lea’s teammate in Women’s Doubles, Airah Mae Nicole Albo and July Villabrille.

The tournament is part of the Philippine national team’s (Smash Pilipinas) build-up to the 32nd SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and will likewise serve as basis for the official ranking of national badminton players.

The competition is a Super 500 tournament and will have a total of ₱1,000,000 pot with ₱70,000 going to the winners of the singles events. ₱150,000 will go to the champions of the doubles events.