Ramos, Caculitan pull off stunners in PBaRS opener

Manila, Philippines - Samantha Ramos and Marina Caculitan came away with a pair of early reversals to highlight the opener of the MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) circuit at the Metro Sports Center in Lahug, Cebu City yesterday.

Ramos, a Golden Shuttle Foundation mainstay, dominated fifth seed Janelle de Vera of Whackers-Lining in the decider to complete a stunning 21-14, 17-21, 21-13 victory and advance to the second round of the girls’ Under-19 singles against Univ. of San Carlos’ Rosalinda Silawan, who repulsed Camille Gotohio, 15-21, 22-20, 21-18.

Caculitan, on the other hand, stamped her class against GSF No. 4 Shaina Osorio with the Whackers-Lining bet scoring an emphatic 21-7, 21-9 victory, also in U-19 class of the event sponsored by GOAL Pilipinas and serving as the kickoff leg of a three-stage circuit.

The fancied bets, however, rolled past their rivals in the other divisions of the event, organized by the Philippine Badminton Association headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, with Valiant Badminton Club’s Jornellous Castro and Joma Castro posting straight-set wins over Ryan Fernandez, 21-15, 21-9, and Maverick Perez, 21-12, 21-13, to reach the second of the men’s Open singles.

Other winners in the premier division were Sherman Olalia of Excel BC, who trounced Dale Bitor, 21-16, 21-8; Sean Chan, who defeated Tristan Santos, 21-8, 21-12, Clint Armamento, who downed Janjan Vequezo, 21-16, 21-13; Asis Calma, who booted out Joven Agoncillo, 21-7, 21-17 and Gian Manuel and Vincent Tan of GSF, who won by defaults over Mark Cadiz and Nikko Wu, respectively.

In boys’ U-19, John Diamante fended off Paolo Barrios, 21-17, 21-16; John Lozada trampled Jan Sinfuego, 21-11, 21-16; Paul Gonzales outplayed John Quibranza, 21-7, 21-111; Christian Cuyno ousted Richard Rio, 21-12, 21-11;

Peter Tan thwarted Edrickson Malibiran, 21-17, 23-21; Ros Pedrosa repulsed Alexis Geverjuan, 15-21, 21-16, 21-9; Rainiel Nguyen won over Bryan Mangawang, 21-14, 21-11; and Vincent Manuel edged Gerloth Delizo, 21-11, 15-21, 21-10.

For details and results, log on to www.pbars.com, according to tournament director Nelson Asuncion.

Also advancing in the girs’ U-19 side of the tournament, backed by Gatorade, Krav Maga Phils., Sincere Construction and Development Corp., Vineza Industrial Sales, Victor PCome Industrial Sales, TV5 and Badminton Extreme Magazine are Joella De Vera, Sylvia Layson, P. Malibiran, Janes Dihiansan, Ma. Victoria Vizmonte, G. Gutierrez, Selina San Diego, Lovely Magallano and Dia Magno.

Meanwhile, Toby Gadi and Markie Alcala, who swept the Open and U-15 titles in last year’s four-leg inaugurals of the event, see action today.