Carlos, Servando set title duel in ranking tourney

MANILA, Philippines - Ma. Bianca Ysabel Carlos of Golden Shuttle Foundation outsteadied Danica San Ignacio of the national team, 21-16, 15-21, 21-10, to grab the first finals seat in the U-19 girls singles event of the P1 million Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) tournament at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

Carlos connected on the big shots in the deciding set to turn back the Phl mainstay after 43 hard-fought minutes and reach the gold medal match against Nikki Therese Servando of Victor-PCOME, who came through with a 21-11, 21-12 victory over Patrisha Malibiran of GSF in the other semis duel.

The giant-killing Carlos is also in the hunt in the premier women’s singles Open, where she was slated to play Danica Bolos of Team PPJ/Victor PCOME in the semis late yesterday.

Gelita Castilo, on the other hand, stopped Servando, 21-11, 21-11, while Patrick Natividad overcame a first-set loss to foil Wilfredo Amoroso Jr., 19-21, 21-11, 21-19, to reach the finals of their respective divisions in the Open class of the tournament sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation-Goal Pilipinas!, Bingo Bonanza Corp. and Victor.

Natividad, also of GSF, awaits the winner between teammate Antonino Gadi and Paul Jefferson Vivas of the national team.

Meanwhile, JLTC mainstays Alvin Morada and Alyssa Ysabel Leonardo prevailed over their semis foes to earn a shot at the U-15 crowns in the boys and girls divisions, respectively.

Morada thumped Frell Keeyan Gabuelo of WWGBA-Prince, 22-20, 21-10, while Leonardo bundled out Jessie Francisco in come-from-behind fashion, 18-21, 22-20, 21-11.

The finals in all divisions will be held at 1 p.m. today, also at Ynares, with the top finishers gaining ranking points heading to the second leg of the four-stage circuit on May 29-June 4 in Bacolod. Davao will host the third stage on July 31-Aug. 6 for players in the provinces to get the chance to play in top-level competitions.

The circuit, designed to raise the Filipinos’ level of play and come up with a truly national ranking system, will culminate in the VP Grand Prix Badminton Open Championships Oct. 22-29 in Manila.

The tournament is 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.                                               – Olmin Leyba