MANILA, Philippines - Nagtala ng malaking panalo sina Sarah Joy Barredo at Mark Shelley Alcala sa Smart National Open Badminton Tournament para makakuha ng semifinal berth sa kanilang singles event sa Powersmash Badminton Center sa Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City kahapon.
Ginitla ni Barredo si dating national player Gelita Castilo ng Far Eastern University sa elimination round, 21-13, 21-17, at isinunod si Hannah Tudtud sa quarterfinals, 21-6, 21-16, para kunin ang women’s singles open semifinals berth.
Lalabanan ni Barredo, inangkin ang Sun Cellular-Ming Ramos National Juniors 19-under singles title, si Allied Victor bet Pauline Marie Tan sa semifinals.
Iginupo ni Tan si Aldreen Rae Concepcion ng Philippine juniors team sa quarterfinals, 21-12, 17-21, 21-17.
Sinibak naman ni Alcala si top seed Antonino Benjamin Gadi sa quarterfinals, 21-18, 17-21, 21-15, para labanan sa semifinals si Ross Leenard Pedrosa, tinalo si John Kenneth Monterubio, 21-13, 21-13.
Ang torneo ay suportado ng MVP Sports Foundation, PBA, Smart Live More, Sun Cellular, Smash Philippines at Babolat.
Higit sa 500 players ang lumahok sa nasabing event na itinataguyod ni Smart Telecommunication’s Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan at may basbas ng Philippine Badminton Association (PBA).
Ito ay bahagi rin ng Philippine National Ranking System (PNRS).
Ang iba namang men’s open singles semifinalists ay sina Team Prima pride Rabbie Jason Oba-ob na bumigo kay Kevin Dalisay, 21-19 21-17, at Michael Kevin Cudiamat na tumalo kay RJ Ormilla, 21-18, 11-21, 21-12.