Barredo, Bolos reach quarters in Ramos Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Second seed Anna Patricia Barredo and third ranked Danica Bolos fashioned out straight-set victories over separate rivals to advance to the quarterfinal round of the girls’ U-19 division in the Ming Ramos Youth Cup Victor Age Group Badminton Championships 2009 at Club 650 in Libis, QC yesterday.

Barredo, playing out of Trace-Whackers, outplayed Alyssa Samaniego of Allied-Victor PCOME, 21-11, 21-6, while Bolos, also of Allied-Victor PCOME, held off Kimberly Gatpolintan of JLTC/Battledore in a pair of round-of-16 matches.

Also advancing to the Last 8 of the centerpiece event in the ladies side are Ynah Zapanta, who beat Yasmin Ignacio, 21-13, 21-13; and Pauline Tan, who trounced Rhea Dagal, 21-2, 21-9.

Nikki Servando of Bacolod-Visayas scored a walkover win over fourth seed Gelli Ramos in the tournament sponsored by Victor-PCOME featuring the country’s top players, including those who finished 10th in the recent World Juniors, and a number of rising badminton stars.

“We finished No. 10 in the recent World Juniors in Malaysia and I’m very happy that we are now becoming at par with the top countries. I encourage you to train and work harder so that you will also bring more glory to our country,” said Mrs. Ramos during the kickoff rites of the three-day event organized by the Philippine Badminton Association.

Servando also posted one of the day’s big upsets when she stunned second seed Abigail Garcia, 21-13, 21-10, to lead the quarterfinalists in the girls’ U-17 class.

Top seed and national team mainstay Gelita Castilo whipped Gatpolintan, 21-9, 21-14, to set up a quarterfinal clash with Pia Fabros, who subdued Joy Fernandez, 22-24, 21-18, 21-16; while the fourth seeded Barredo disposed of Ingrid Obnial, 21-7, 21-9, to arrange a duel with Samaniego, who scored a walkover win over Chealia Alcancia.

Meanwhile, quarterfinal round action in various divisions, including the boys and girls’ U-19, U-17 and U-15, U-13 and U-11, shifts to the PBA badminton hall at the Rizal Memorial Center.

The teams seeing action in the event are Allied-Victor PCOME Club, Whackers Badminton Academy, JLTC/Battledore/Flypower, ETC, Tuguegarao City-CNHS, Bacolod Visayas, Cagayan De Oro, WWGBA, MSI Juniors Bulacan, College of Saint Benilde, Butuan Badminton Club, RP Training Pool, Miriam College, PCC, SJSC, MGC-New Life Christian Academy, Holy Trinity Academy and JB Badminton plus other individual entries. — end it//thanks