The Philippines' Axl Cosio in the Philippine Junior International Series, August 4, 2026 at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong. Handout/PBAD
MANILA -- Axl Cosio showed no signs of nerves in his international debut, advancing to the Round of 32 of the boys' U19 singles in the inaugural Philippine Junior International Series on Tuesday.
The 15-year-old Cosio scored a commanding 21-12, 21-15 victory over Maldives' Mohamed Aydhin Anwar at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong.
"Masaya po kasi hindi ko po ini-expect na mananalo po ako ngayon, kasi ang ini-expect ko lang po ay kukuha lang po ako ng experience. Hindi ko akalain na aabot ako sa Round of 32, kaya masaya po," said Cosio.
The young player from Cavite had earlier dominated his qualifying match, 21-12, 21-12, against Faith Haiden Penaflor.
Cosio will next face Malaysia's Liew Tian Hao, who defeated the Philippines' Wijel Albo, 21-16, 21-16, with a Round of 16 berth at stake.
In the boys' U15 singles division, Liam Kendrick Yuzon advanced to the second round after beating fellow Filipino Carlisle Delizo, 21-16, 21-13, in their Round of 64 clash. He will next take on top-seeded Malaysian Jaylon Chee.
Johann Borgador also moved on after edging Marc Lazarte, 21-15, 22-20, setting up a second-round meeting against Malaysia's third-seeded Zhen Hao Yeoh.