Escueta, De Vera thump rivals in PBaRS opener

MANILA, Philippines - National team mainstay Joper Escueta and Whackers’ Joella de Vera fashioned out a pair of straight-set victories over their respective rivals to lead the charge of the fancied bets in the opener of the P1 million Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) tournament at PowerSmash in Makati City yesterday.

Escueta, who ruled the recent Prima Pasta Open and winner of the Under-19 crown in last year’s Ming Ramos-Victor National Open, disposed of Carlo Glenn Remo of Escoses Training Camp, 21-14, 21-8, in one of the boys’ singles matches in the 128-player U-19 field.

De Vera, on the other hand, dominated Sarah Joy Barredo of WWGBA-Prince in the first set then rallied from behind in the next to complete a 21-8, 21-16 victory in the U-15 girls’ singles of the tournament serving as the kickoff leg of a four-stage nationwide ranking circuit.

Joining Escueta, also a favorite in the Open category of the eight-day tournament, sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation-Goal Pilipinas!, Bingo Bonanza Corp. and Victor and sanctioned by the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission and the new Philippine Badminton Association, were national junior team member Carlos Cayanan, Sean Chan of JC Badminton, Josh Maquelabit of Escoses, Elijah Boac of Prima, Aleckhine Aquino of Theresian BC, and Golden Shuttle Foundation’s Karl Foronda, Kyle Gosiaco and Clarence Filart.

Cayanan trounced John Navarro, 21-11, 21-13; Chan won by default over Kint Bacong; Maquelabit overwhelmed Dennis Magpantay, 21-12, 21-12; Boac whipped Francis Colliantes, 21-12, 21-13; Aquino ripped Alfredo Osorio, 21-11, 21-10; Frondo downed Tyrell Gabuelo, 21-11, 21-16; Gosiaco turned back Eddie Gacayan Jr., 11-21, 21-13, 21-13; and Filart outlasted Miguel San Andres, 21-13, 17-21, 21-8.

Others who advanced in the girls’ U-15 singles were Kyle Bernas, Carmela Zamora, Alyssa Leonardo, Ysabel Agregado, Mkaella Santiago, Ysabelle Dumandan, Samantha Ramos, Lourdes Romero, Bianca de Guzman and Djali Balingcongan.

Leading the winners in boys’ play, also in U-15, were Wilson Lopez, Benedict Batiles, Cayel Pajarillo, Julius Quindoza, Melvin Sarao, Jyrus Casilan, Juacs Nadong, Frell Gabuelo, Ryan Dizer, Anton Vargas, Boris Sumabat, Karl Ganaden, Wilfred Deato, Michael Clemente and Patrick Gecosala.

Bacolod’s Nikki Servando, meanwhile, turned back Cassandra Lim, 24-22, 21-10, in a big start in her title drive in the girls singles U-19 category even as Danica San Ignacio, also a member of the national team, scored a walkover win over Joyce Tiam-Lee in the tournament backed by PLDT-Smart Foundation, Victor PCOME Industrial Sales, Gatorade and Powersmash with The Philippine STAR, TV5, Badminton Extreme Philippines Magazine, Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT and 103.5 WOW! as media partners.

For results and other details, log on to pbars.com.

Joining San Ignacio in the Last 32 were Desiree Buiza, Leslie Ann Capalad, Ma. Justine Ampuan, Pamela Lim, Janine Chua, Dei Duquilla, Selina San Diego, Marie Tenchavez and Danielle Escobar.

Tournament director Nelson Asuncion said matches will be held at PowerSmash until April 1 with the quarterfinals, semis and finals slated at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Others events on tap are the men’s and ladies doubles and the mixed doubles in the Open, U-19 and U-15 divisions.

Meanwhile, action shifts to Bacolod on May 29-June 4 for the second leg while Davao will host the third stage on July 31-Aug. 6 for players in the provinces to get the chance to play in top-level competitions.

The circuit, designed to raise the Filipinos’ level of play and come up with a truly national ranking system, will culminate in the VP Grand Prix Badminton Open Championships on Oct. 22-29 in Manila.