Sevilla, Magpantay pull off MVP-PBaRS stunners

MANILA, Philippines - Mariya Sevilla of MSI Jr. Team and Dennis Magpantay of Escoses Training Center snatched victories over their respective seeded rivals to lead the charge of the lesser lights in the Under-19 division of the MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) Makati leg which got under way yesterday at Powersmash in Makati City.

Sevilla, who dominated Samantha Santos, 21-8, 21-11, in the first round, surprised No. 7 Angelica Muyrong, 21-14, 21-17, to barge into the third round against Joyce Macawile of Team SRBC in the girls’ U-19 class. Macawile repulsed Marin Tam, 21-6, 16-21, 22-20, then disposed of Denise Francisco, 21-7, 21-13.

Top seed defending champion Bianca Carlos of Golden Shuttle Foundation rolled past Paola Bernardo, 21-11, 21-13, to set up a duel with Mikaela Aquino, who trounced Ira Villanueva, 21-9, 21-9, while No. 2 Elisha Ongcuangco whipped Jelene Masongsong, 21-8, 21-13.

In men’s Open singles, five-leg champion Toby Gadi drew an opening round bye then scored a walkover win over Derek Bondoc to advance to the third round along with No. 2 Paul Vivas, who defeated Emmanuel Cabalfin, 21-10, 21-10; third seed Patrick Natividad, who booted out Patrique Magnaye, 21-18, 21-15; No. 4 Kevin Dalisay, who overwhelmed Vincent Tan, 21-7, 21-5; and No. 5 Carlo Tengco, who held off Lawrence Palomer, 21-18, 21-18.

For details and results, log on to www.pbars.com or www.tournamentsoftware.com. 

Meanwhile, action shifts to Makati Coliseum today till Wednesday for the quarterfinals, semifinals and the finals, according to tournament director Nelson Asuncion.

Also advancing to the girls’ U-19 are No. 3 Patrisha Malibiran, fourth seed Ma. Victoria Vizmonte, No. 5 Janelle De Vera, No. 8 Samantha Ramos, Krizzia Gonzales, Sarah Barredo, Lindsay Tercias, Rae Concepcion, Nicole Nieto and Amabel Sumabat and No. 6 Cassandra Lim of Escoses Training Camp, who whisked off Elaine Malelang of UP, 21-16, 21-18.

Magpantay, meanwhile, battled back from a set down to bundle out fifth seed Lorenzo Yason in a grueling three-setter, 16-21, 21-12, 25-23, to crash into the fourth round of the boys’ U-19 of the event sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation and organized by the Philippine Badminton Association.

Second seed Karl Foronda survived Jimbo Flores, 21-23, 21-11, 21-5, to join Magpantay and the other seeded bets in the next round of the big 128-player draw, including No. 1 Justin Natividad, who downed Jerickson Oba-ob, 21-10, 21-14; No. 7 Glenn Remo, No. 3 JC Clarito, No. 10, Joshua Monterubio and No. 4 Joshua Malelang.

Chanelle Lunod, also of MSI Jr. Team, stunned No. 6 Joyce Mendoza, 21-15, 21-15, to set a Last 16 duel with Sevilla in the girls’ U-15 category along with top seed Carmela Zamora of Team Prima, who escaped with a 22-20, 21-16 win over Beatrice Felizardo, and No. 4 Sarah Barredo, and seventh seed Jellene De Vera.

Sevilla trounced Djali Balingcongan, 21-9, 21-12, while Barredo routed Mae Paz, 21-3, 21-8; and De Vera turned back Marie Lopez, 16-21, 21-16, 21-15.

The tournament is backed by PBA Partylist (Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta), Gatorade, Badminton Extreme Philippines Magazine, Victor PCome Industrial Sales Inc., Vineza Industrial Sales, Sincere, Krav Maga Philippines and TV5 with Enervon as minor sponsor.