Ticala, Padiz survive Bingo scare, seal quarters duels

MANILA, Philippines - Orlan Ticala and Solomon Padiz Jr. overcame two determined rivals to arrange a quarterfinal duel in the Open men’s singles while Alem Palmares sustained his romp in Day Four of the Bingo Bonanza National Open Badminton Tournament at the CW Home Depot Ortigas in Pasig yesterday.

But while the sixth-ranked Padiz of PBA Smash Pilipinas imposed his will in the decider and carved out a 21-17, 16-21, 21-11 victory over wild card entry Christian Cuyno, the No. 4 Ticala of Team Prima walked the tightrope before subduing Ateneo’s Carlo Remo, 17-21, 21-15, 23-21.

That makes their face-off for one of the semis berths worth watching when action in the top-ranking event sponsored by Bingo Bonanza shifts to SM Megamall tomorrow and Sunday (finals).

Top seed Kevin Cudiamat heads the Final 8 cast with a 21-13, 21-17 romp over Cris Sanchez. He takes on Ateneo’s Clarence Filart, who dominated Edwin Dodds, 21-12, 21-10, in the week-long event backed by official equipment Victor PCOME and SM Megamall, Smash Pilipinas and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Top seed defending champion Sarah Joy Barredo likewise primed up for the tough grind as she disposed of Anne Macabenta, 21-8, 21-4, to lead the quarterfinalists in the Open women’s singles of the country’s premier badminton championship sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association.