Ormilla turns back Gadi, makes FDG Cup semis

MANILA, Philippines - R-Jay Ormilla hacked out a tough 21-18, 11-21, 21-17 victory over Toby Gadi while Kenneth Monterubio mastered Kevin Cudiamat, 21-11, 21-11, to barge into the semifinal round of the Open men’s singles in the FDG Cup Open and Invitational badminton tournament at Powersmash Badminton Center in Makati yesterday.

The 11th-ranked Ormilla rebounded from a second set meltdown with a gritty stand in the third, outlasting the seventh-seeded fellow PBA-Smash Pilipinas standout to carve out the win and earn a crack at the finals against top seed Dea Adirangga of Indonesia, who scored a walkover win over Malaysian Arif Ab Latif.

Monterubio, seeded No. 14 in a full-packed roster, eased out the No. 8 Cudiamat with his power game to set up a semis duel with No. 10 Ros Pedrosa, who clipped joint No. 12 Kevin Dalisay, 21-12, 21-15, in the two-weekend ranking tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association and held in honor of Robinsons Land Corp. president Frederick D. Go.

Meanwhile, Chinese former world No. 1 Wang Xin and Wang Lin showcase their world-class skills before local fans as they play exhibition matches with Philippine Badminton Association sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez, former national team standout Kennevic Asuncion and Go starting at 3 p.m. today, also at Powersmash.

Also on tap in today’s final round is the Partners Cup, which features employees and business partners of the RLC.

No. 4 Nicole Albo stopped Aldreen Concepcion’s giant-killing spree with a 21-16, 21-13 victory to the three foreign aces in the semifinal round of the Open women’s singles of the event held in partnership with Smart Live More, Smash Pilipinas, the PNRS and Partners Cup with Li-ning as the official shuttlecock.

Albo, also a PBA-Smash Pilipinas standout, shoots for a final berth against joint No. 2 Asifa Nur Farisma of Indonesia, who survived Poi Tan, 17-21, 21-12, 21-19, in the lower half of the draw.