By MARK REY MONTEJO
Jemyca Aribado got the win she wanted from the start so much as she dumped reigning titlist Malaysian Ainaa Amani, 9-0 (retired), to barge into the women’s individual final of the 9th Southeast Asian Squash Championships 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand Tuesday, July 22.
Aside from punching her ticket to the finals, the 31-year-old Aribado got back at the same player who defeated her in the semis last year (6-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-2), so her journey to the finals was extra sweet.
Aribado’s trip to the bustling capital city could be a lot meaningful if she beats
Singaporean Wai Yhann Au Yeong, who downed Malaysian Yee Xin Ying, 7-11, 12-10, 11-3, 11-6, in the semis.
Whatever the result is, Aribado is already thankful she has already bettered her bronze medal-finish last year.
Prior entering the final, the Southeast Asian Games multi-medalist earned a first-round bye before pulling off an 11-4, 8-11, 1-11, 11-7, 11-8 escape over Filipina teen sensation Aerra Jc Mae Relano in the following round.
In men’s side, Reymark Begornia settled for the bronze medal after losing to Malaysian Duncan Lee, 9-11, 7-11, 9-11, in the semis, matching his effort last year that saw him absorb a 3-11, 6-11, 2-11 loss to Malaysia’s Ong Sai Hung.
Meanwhile, Christopher Buraga and Jonathan Reyes also made ripples as they authored an 11-10 11-4 semis triumph over Harith Danial and Muhammad Raziq Putra Razi.
The duo now enters the U21 men’s jumbo doubles final against Singapore’s Ethan Kuan and Yuan Xin Li for the crown.
