MANILA, Philippines - Philip Joper Escueta and Danica San Ignacio easily disposed of their respective rivals to banner the national team’s charge to the Under-19 quarterfinals of the P1-million Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) tournament at the Powersmash in Makati City yesterday.
The fancied Escueta dominated Ethan Joshua Malelang of Allied Victor throughout their 20 minute encounter, 21-10, 21-9, to stay on the hunt for another U-19 title after topping last year’s Ming Ramos-Victor National Open meet.
San Ignacio, for her part, took only 20 minutes in stopping Gabrielle Abrahan, 21-6, 21-4, to lead the march into the Last 8 of the girls side in the event sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation-Goal Pilipinas!, Bingo Bonanza Corp. and Victor.
Three members of the national juniors squad also advanced with Gerald Sibayan crushing Kyle Patrick Gosiaco of Golden Shuttle Foundation, 21-6, 21-8; John Kenneth Monterubio outclassing Lance Bautista of Allied Victor, 21-16, 21-17, and Carlos Antonie Cayanan surviving the tough stand of Whacker BA’s Jon Jelson Masonsong, 21-17, 12-21, 21-17.
Joshua Monterubio and Kevin Michael Cudiamat of Allied Victor, Justn Wilbert Natividad of Golden Shuttle, and Rabie Jason Obaob of Prima also primed themselves for a shot at a semis berth in the tournament backed by PLDT-Smart Foundation, Victor PCOME Industrial Sales, Gatorade and Powersmash with The Philippine STAR, TV5, Badminton Extreme Philippines Magazine, Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT and 103.5 WOW! as media partners.
Monterubio whipped Christian Sison of Whackers BA, 21-10, 21-18; Cudiamat trounced Karl Jeffrey Foronda of Golden Shuttle, 21-14, 21-9; Natividad defeated Elijah Boac of Prima, 17-21, 21-19, 21-11; and Obaob tripped Clarence Filart of Golden Shuttle, 21-15, 21-16.
Joining San Ignacio in the quarters were Pohang Badminton Center’s Nikki Therese Servando, Golden Shuttle bets Ma. Bianca Ysabel Carlos, Patrisha Edricka Malibiran, and Maria Victoria Vizmonte, Pamela Marie Lim of Escoses and Ma. Elisha Ongcuangco of IJHS Badminton Club.
Servando, the under-17 champion of the 2010 Ming Ramos-Victor National Open, clubbed Shaina Althea Osorio of Golden Shuttle, 21-11, 21-11; while Carlos ruled Mitzel Desiree Buiza of University of the Philippines, 21-8, 21-15; Lim ripped Jhay Anne Macabenta, 21-12, 21-7.