Baguio coasts to semis in Toby's badminton tiff

Tournament favorite Daniel Baguio of Aztec downed No. 5 Carmelo Lunod of MSI JR, 21-7, 21-15, in the 8-under boys’ singles division in the Toby’s-Dunlop sixth Youth Badminton Championships yesterday at the West Drive Badminton court in Pasig City.

Baguio’s trouble-free win set him up for a Final Four duel against 16th seed MSI JR, who upset No. 9 Gio Velasco of WWGBA, 21-18, 21-13, in this single knockout affair presented by Toby’s Sports and Dunlop and backed by Inquirer.net, Solar Sports, CS Sports, Themos, Yellow Cab and Slazenger.

Completing the final four in the under-8 class in this annual event also supported by Gold’s Gym, Gerflor Taraflex, Hershey’s Chocolates, SM Megamall, West Drive Badminton Center, Crumpler Bags, Equipe, Kontrol USA, Thermos, Burlington Socks, Action & Ftiness Magazine, Wave 89.1 and Mellow 94.7 were 24th seed Piolo Angsico of Aztec/Raq4Cock and 32nd seed John Bryan Bernardo of MSI JR.

Angsico bested 20th seed Rafael Briones of WWGBA, 21-6, 21-14, while Bernardo tripped 28th seed Eerl Baes of WWGBA, 21-0, 21-4.

In the boy’s doubles action in the 8-under division, the pair of Baes and Velasco turned back the tandem of Lunod and Cruz, 21-9, 21-18, to advance into the next round.

Ms. Nicole Limon, Toby’s sports marketing supervisor, meanwhile announced the staging a of photo contest to all amateur photographer. Please visit or log on www.toby’s.com for complete details.

The finals in all age divisions will be held on November 14-16 at the SM Megamall Atrium A.

Events to be disputed are singles, doubles and mixed doubles for boys and girls, with action to be held in six age divisions: 8-under, 10-under, 12-under, 14-under, 16-under and 18-under.

In the girls’ singles action in the 8-under division, top pick Aldreen Concepcion of Aztec trounced fifth ranked Meghan Cruz of AC Antipolo, 21-3, 21-10, to also advance into the semifinal round.

Also gaining semifinals berths were 9th seed Laarni Moreno of Team Viscaya, 22nd seed Micah Bea Supena of MSI JR and 32nd seed Betinna Dannah Villanueva of MSI JR.

In the girls’ doubles in the 8-under, the pair of Santos and Supena crushed Jalyssa Fermo and Avijah Rei Hinanay of Woodrose, 23-21, 21-14.

Meanwhile, No.1 Frell Keeyan Gabuelo of WWGBA and No.5 Djali Balingcogan of MSI JR, won their respective matches in the boy’s and girl’s 10 and under, respectively.

Gabuelo stunned No.8 Johnrick Macabenta of WWGBA, 21-10, 21-15, while Balingcogan subdued No.3 Pia Noreen Tuazon of Sta. Maria De Angat/SMBC, 21-21, 6-21, 21-16.