25/09/2025
๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ-๐๐๐๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐ | ๐๐น๐ผ๐๐ฑ๐ ๐ช๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฎ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฆ๐ต๐๐๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ธ๐: ๐ ๐ง๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ง๐ฟ๐๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ
Blazing through round after round, carrying with them the glory and expectations of their respective teamsโthe two powerhouses of badminton singles: Neon Rei Ginete, and Jeff Illigan were meant to clash. However, the weather had other plansโTyphoon Opong's raindrops seeped through the rooftop of URC Sports Center in Barangay RSB, effectively rendering the courts unplayable.
Before the whole incident, Ginete and Illigan dominated throughout the entire tournament, soaring high, and clawing through, decimating foe after foe with precise and powerful strikes. Yet, when it came time to face each other, only the rain could extinguish their momentum. Feeling the pressure, both players were forced to come to a unanimous decision, and by embodying the true spirit of sportsmanship and compassion, they both agreed to hand over the gold to Illigan, making him this year's champion in badminton singles for boys.
When asked how he felt when the star player of the Falcons handed over the crown, Illigan said, "It didn't sink in at first, and I was quite unhappy because it was unfair for me, and for Neon as well. But because of the weather, we didn't really have a choice. So I'm really grateful to Neon for handing me the title, and I really appreciate his kindness."
Both players have always adored the sport of badminton ever since they were elementary studentsโworking hard for years, training relentlessly and honing their skills exponentially, cementing themselves as strong contenders on the court. With star athlete Illigan even reaching heights such as the prestigious Batang Pinoy moniker, and representing the division of La Carlota in several regional championships. And through this year's tournament, you could see the fruits of their labors as they carried their rackets with poise and determination, gliding through the court and dictating games with their unmatched prowess.
Both athletes have worked tirelessly to get where they are, and when it came time to reflect on the match, both shared their thoughts on what might have happened if fate hadnโt intervened. Illigan declared, "It would be intense. Because both of us were aiming for the win, and since it was also the match everybody was waiting for the most." And when asked the same question, Ginete stated, "If the match wasnโt cancelled I would have played my hardest to win, and I know that he would've done the same."
Furthermore, in response to a question of what raced through his mind when they decided to give Illigan the title, Ginete replied, "I thought about how Jeff has always supported me in badminton. Since itโs his last year to play, I felt it was more important for him to have this moment than for me to win. I donโt see it as a loss. For me, itโs something greater because I was able to give back to a friend who has been there for me. Wins donโt last forever, but the memory of this choice will."
This moment of compassion and camaraderie highlights how victory is shared not just among the winners, but also to the people who helped you along the way. And for Ginete and Illigan this victory wasn't just about sports; it was about their friendship and their legacy.
