Favored bets lead charge in JVC badminton

All but one of the seeded bets played true to form and romped away with straight-set victories yesterday to dominate the first day of action of the JVC Open Badminton Championships at the PSC Badminton Hall at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

Defending men’s singles champion Ian Piencenaves and former titlist Kennevic Asuncion led the attack of the favorites in the upper and lower brackets of the 128-man draw in the premier men’s singles event with the former disposing of Harry Villareal, 15-0, 15-1, and the latter whitewashing Michael Benitez, 15-0, 15-0.

Not to be outdone, co-third ranked players Arolas Amahit and Rodel Bartolome thumped Ramin Cruz, 15-1, 15-2, and Ryan Conde, 15-1, 15-1, respectively, while the next three ranking bets — Reynaldo Selga, Prospero Aguilar and Wally Fernandez — all coasted with easy victories to advance to the round of 32 of the elite category of the event sponsored by electronics giant JVC for the third straight year.

Selga defeated Reynold Jardin, 15-1, 15-1; Aguilar outclassed Ronel Carreon, 15-4, 15-3, and Fernandez whipped Ace Domingo, 15-2, 15-3.

Only Jojo Mance, jointly ranked fifth in the premier class, went through some anxious moments as the Army bet needed an extra set to foil the upset bid of Ben Jonas Garcia, 15-5, 12-15, 15-7.

For results, updates and other details, please log on to jvcopen.com.

In the distaff side of the centerpiece event, top seed and back-to-back champion Kennie Asuncion, second ranked Alma Ledesma, and joint third seeded bets Sandy Banquiles, Dianah Barbo and Aurora Co all drew first round byes and will see action today in the round of 32.

Over at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati, where the seniors event is being played at presstime, former first lady and Philippine Badminton Association president Ming Ramos, PBA vice president Gen. Edgar Aglipay, Kazue Salud, general manager of JVC Phils., POC secretary-general Romeo Ribano, JVC officials Atty. Faustino Salud and Dennis Salud and IMG country manager Princess Galura graced the opening of the annual event now regarded as the spawning ground of badminton talents in the country.

In the corporate division, Dive Shoppe sent two teams to the quarterfinals with its B team blasting Alaxan, 3-0, and forcing a showdown with Konica, which outplayed Citibank A, 2-1, in the upper bracket. Gold N Luck faces PLDT A in the other match with both teams fashioning out similar 3-0 victories over Prudentialife and ABS-CBN (A), respectively.

Dive Shoppe B, on the other hand, outclassed Asian Development Bank, 3-0, to arrange a duel with Meralco, which trounced Savers Keepers, 2-1. Bell Pepper and Bingo Bonanza pulled off similar 3-0 victories over Jollibee Food Corp. and PNOC-B, respectively, to likewise set up a last 8 match.

The event, put by electronics giant JVC for the third straight year, is sponsored by IMG, Philippine Badminton Association, Pioneer Insurance, Gosen, Alaska Milk Corp., GenTxt, Tokyo Tokyo, Accel, Ayala Center, I-Ayala, Rudy Project, K-Lite 103.5 and The Philippine STAR.