Mijares eyes semis in JVC badminton

Men'e elite defending champion Spyro Mijares continued with his blazing run as top seeds also made their own marks in their respective divisions in the Cebu leg of the 2006 JVC Regional Open Badminton Championships at the Holiday Spa.

Mijares of University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) entered into the round of eight after dumping Francis Rey Gomez, 21-17, 21-6.

He will meet next Andrei Mark Peroy, who clinched a ticket to the quarterfinals with a sound 21-14, 21-17 win over Alvin Seno of University of Cebu (UC).

Solito Flores of USJ-R, on the other hand, did not lift a finger in his trip to the quarterfinals, getting a walkover from Ernesto Paires.

Flores will meet next Karl Soronda, who lead to the exit door Jiffy Cabardo of Quickshot, 24-26, 21-14, 21-15.

But a showdown of wits is expected as Patrick Duarte of USJ-R and Elizen Yac of University of the Visayas (UV) meet for a slot in the semifinals.

Duarte barged to the quarters after winning over Fausto Berganting, 21-12, 21-13 while Yac stopped Mark Anthony Parantar, 21-18, 21-14.

The other semifinal ticket will be battled out by Arthur Dignos, who won over Renz Ericson Gabuya, 21-10, 21-11 and Adrian Ardoza of UV, a 21-11, 21-1 winner over Melvin Wasto Pastor.

Meanwhile, women's open defending champion Hazel Blyth Peroy of UC kicks off her title retention bid as she takes on Lelia Tampon of Southwestern University (SWU) in the quarterfinal round.

Tampon advanced to the round of eight after stunning Moonyeen Armecin of USJ-R, 22-20, 21-19.

Another seeded player Kara Melanie Montejo, a Palarong Pambansa champion, is also set to action against Leah Kathleen Garaden, who won over Rojane Lisondra of UC.

Yedah Fornoles, for her part, moved on with a 21-13, 21-16 victory over Flora Mae Armecin of USJ-R, to take on Chieko Saito in the quarterfinals.

Saito had a walkover against Hozumi Patts.

Also, Irish Olofernes of UC is also in the quarterfinals after winning over Flory Jane Cabungcal of USJ-R, 21-11, 21-13.

She will meet Yugean Yusikee, who won over Mary Rose Ann Arcenal, 21-2, 21-8.



In the juniors 16 and under division, the semifinal casts in both the boys and girls division are now complete.

The boys division will have James Bell Rizon of UC taking on Joe Charles Marigomen of UV and Clint Angelo Armamento of USJ-R meeting John Roy Densing of UC.

The girls division will have Mary Rose Montebon of USJ-R versus Celia Marie Kimberly Li and Josie Coca of UV against Jewel Amor Coliamat of UV.

The JVC regional is sponsored by JVC, Victor (exclusively distributed by Pcome Industrial Sales), Lactacyd and Bingo Bonanza and backed by The Star, Pinoy Exchange, Pioneer Life, Sunbolt, Alaska, Handford and Cebu Holiday Spa, Pohang Badminton Center, Wheels 'N More Badminton Courts and Excel Badminton Center.