Carlos, Alcala forge quarterfinal showdown

Manila, Philippines - Bianca Carlos and Malvinne Alcala trounced their respective rivals in one-sided fashions yesterday to arrange an explosive quarterfinal showdown in the premier Open ladies singles of the MVP Sports Foundation-Bingo Bonanza Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) tournament at the Pohang Badminton Courts in Bacolod City yesterday.

Carlos, who emerged the winningest player with three victories in the inaugural staging of the event last March, including the Open and the Under-19 classes, whisked off Bulacan’s Ana Fajardo, 21-6, 21-8, in a 15-minute job while Alcala, who missed the first leg to compete abroad, booted out UP Diliman’s Bianca Legaspi, 21-7, 21-13.

Those victories lined up the two fancied players in a clash for the first semifinal berth at 11 a.m. today in the second leg of the circuit put up by Vice President Jejomar Binay, Rep. Albee Benitez and businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan and sponsored by official equipment sponsor Victor, exclusive distributed by PCOME Industrial Sales, Inc., in the country.

Joining them in the Last 8 are second seed Gelita Castilo, who beat Fatima Cruz, 21-9, 21-10, Reyne Calimlim, who upset joint No. 5 Ellaine Malelang, 21-7, 21-15, Pauline Ramos, who upended another joint fifth seed Pauline Tan, 22-20, 21-14; Cassandra Lim, who bundled out Kristine Cornista, 21-14, 21-7; Danica Bolos, who repulsed Annelyn Alba, 21-17, 21-17, and Paula Filart, who stunned joint No. 5 Pamela Lim, 21-16, 21-18.

Three reversals also marked the men’s Open singles with veteran campaigner Lloyd Escoses shocking second seed Patrick Natividad, 21-19, 21-17, to set up a quarters duel with Kevin Dalisay, who turned back Charlo Tenglo, 12-21, 21-16, 21-9.

Andrei Babad also surprised joint No. 5 Gabriel Villanueva, 21-13, 17-21, 21-19, but will face top seed defending champion Antonino Gadi for a berth in the Final Four of the tournament backed by PLDT-Smart Foundation, 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, are the ladies singles and boys and ladies doubles and mixed singles in the Open and U-15 divisions.

Gadi thwarted Carlos Cayanan, 21-12, 21-16, even as Joper Escueta, the defending champion in the Under-19 division but ranked joint ninth in the Open, stopped joint third seed Wilfredo Amoroso, 21-10, 21-11, to arrange another key showdown with fellow national team mainstay Peter Magnaye, who subdued Carlos Benipayo, 21-10, 22-20.

For details, log on to www.pbars.com.

Earlier, Carlos, also the winner in the girls U-19 doubles with Patrisha Edricka, got a big scare when she struggled in the opening set before beating Danica Pelegrino, 22-20, 21-4, to clinch a seat in the quarterfinal round of the U-19 class. She will next face Angelica Muyrong, who defeated Angela Malata, 21-13, 21-13.

Others who advanced were No. 2 Patricia Malibiran, Patricia Barredo, Danica San Ignacio, Cassandra Lim, Flo Lamigo and Ma. Victoria Vizmonte, while Escueta led the Last 8 in the men’s side with a 21-11, 21-10 romp over Lorenzo Leonardo.

Also advancing were second seed Wilbert Natividad, Kevin Cudiamat, Gerard Sibayan, JC Clarito, Jason Oba-ob, Kenneth Monterubio and Carlos Cayanan.