DLSU bets Del Monte badminton semifinalists

La Salle’s Michelle Guerrero and Therine Chan scored hard-earned victories yesterday to reach the girls’ singles semiFinals in the Del Monte 202 Cup first Collegiate Badminton Open at The Zone in Malugay, Makati City.

Guerrero needed an extra set to beat University of the Philippines’ Ronielle Kagalingan, 11-5, 2-11, 11-2, to advance against Far Eastern University’s Ma. Theresa Sebastian, a 13-10, 13-12 winner over University of Santo Tomas’ Kathleen Anasco.

Chan, on the other hand, recovered from a first-set loss to prevail over UST’s Rose Ann dela Cruz, 2-11, 11-2, 11-6 and force a semifinal showdown with FEU’s Criselda Sarabia, who scored an 11-2, 11-2 victory over UE’s Jane de Jesus.

In the boys’ singles division, UE’s Heidenberg Dimarucut rallied past UST’s Reynaldo Selga, 5-15, 15-13, 15-3, to advance against La Salle’s Rhaul Angeles, a 15-2, 15-0 winner over Nueva Ecija University Science and Technology’s Alfredo Angeles.

FEU’s Wilson Frias downed Technological Institute of the Philippines’ Edison Serrano, 15-6, 15-2, to advance against UE’s Rodil Sertan, who conquered La Salle’s Rodel Dawal, 15-6, 15-8.

In the boys’ doubles division, La Salle’s Rhaul Angeles and Michael Paclibar downed FEU’s Wilmer Frias and Jimson Dionisio, 15-6, 15-13, to arrange a Final Four meeting with UP’s Marvin Cumbe and Poppert Bernadas, 15-9, 15-6 winners over TIP’s Marlon Dalisay and Edison Serrano.

Also advancing were UE’s RJ Cruz and Edison Cupcupin, who beat Adamson University’s Darwin Roxas and Darius Bueno, 15-7, 15-3, and UST’s Raymond Vega and Rabdy Felipe, who won over FEU’s Jayse Frias and Recson Salvaleon, 15-10, 15-10.

In the girls’ doubles category, FEU’s Criselda Sarabia and Ma. Theresa Sebastian defeated Sacred Heart’s Jolywin Rodil and Ma. Kathleen Glindro, 15-0, 15-8, to set up a semifinal duel with UP’s Sarah and Sheryl Caraig, who won by default over UE’s Russell Tatel and Karen Escalona.

UST’s Kathleen Anasco and Lyka Leonor downed UE’s Carol Capiral and Hazel Ann Andres, 15-7, 15-2, to advance against La Salle’s Therine and Paula Chan, who walked over St. Scholastica’s Jennely Vicencio and Mary Ann Catalan.

In the mixed doubles, La Salle’s Michael Paclibar and Paula Chan outplayed UP’s Allan Cardenas and Sheryl Caraig, 15-10, 15-10, UST’s Reynaldo Selga and Lyka Leonor outclassed UE’s Charles Agatep and Russell Tatel, 15-4, 15-3, FEU’s JB Villamedez and Cherry Aberilla downed teammates Dan Gutierrez. and Jovalyn Cabanero, 15-11, 15-6 and UE’s Edison Cupcupin and Jane de Jesus prevailed over La Salle’s Rodel Dawal and Michelle Guerrero, 15-8, 15-0, to earn semifinal berths.

The semifinal and final rounds will be played at the SM Megamall Atrium on Oct. 6-7. Prizes at stake are P25,000 in cash, trophy and Sony Ericsson T230 mobile phone (champion), P15,000 in cash, trophy and P1,000 worth of gift certificate from Advanced Speed and Academic Professionals (first runner-up) and P8,000 in cash and trophy (second runner-up). Exhibition games featuring celebrities Paolo Ballesteros, K Tatlonghari, Meryll Soriano and Brad Turvey will also be held on Oct. 7.