Rodriguez, Borgador enter badminton semis

MANILA, Philippines - Emmanuel Rodriguez of New Era U and Calvin Borgador trounced Ivan Basilio and Maverick Alcala, respectively, to arrange a semifinal showdown in the U-9 division in the the PBA Ming Ramos Victor Youth Non-Ranking Championships at Jump Smash Badminton Court in St. San Francisco Del Monte, QC yesterday. 

Rodriguez showed too much class in overpowering Basilio, fashioning out a 21-8, 21-10 victory, while Borgador held off Alcala, 21-17, 21-12, to stay in the title hunt in the tournament put up by the Philippine Badminton Association as part of its grassroots program which drew 513 entries in various age categories. 

Carlo Sanchez of Babolat Academy scored a walkover win over Dale Corpuz to set up a Final Four duel with Geero Peregrina of Bulacan, who subdued Herbert Peralta, 21-13, 21-10, in the singles event of the youngest category in the event held in honor of PBA honorary chairperson and former First Lady Mrs. Amelita “Ming” Ramos. 

Meanwhile, PBA’s Bagong Bida Grassroots Program head Police Gen. Federico Laciste Jr. said a series of regional grassroots tournaments would be conducted in different regions to enable players in the countryside to get a feel of tournament play. 

In other results, Lorenzo Yason downed Fidel Manegdeg, 21-18, 21-12, to lead the quarterfinalists in the boys’ U-17. Others who advanced to the Last 8 were Joshua Antonio, Henry Peralta and Carl Clemente, while Jewel Albo got past Matthew Lao, 21-8, 21-7, to reach the quarters of the boys’ U-11 class along with Chales Alcarpio, Dale Corpuz, Zed Monterubio, Charles Ang and Pelegrina. 

Meghan Cruz toppled Lara Francisco, 21-13, 21-9, to tow Angelamae Morales, Virginia Lopez, Angelika Paz, Martha Undan, Camille Galve, Dane Peña and Joy de Guzman into the quarters of the girls U-13 singles of the event sanctioned by the PBA headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, chair Manny V. Pangilinan and sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez.