Fancied bets survive scare in PBaRS Open

MANILA, Philippines - Peter Magnaye and Ariel delos Santos went through a pair of wringers to reach the quarterfinal round while Ronel Estanislao bundled out fifth seed Jaime Junio in the men’s Open singles of the MVP Sports Foundation-Bingo Bonanza Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) tournament in Davao yesterday.

The fourth seeded Magnaye battled back from a set down to repulse veteran campaigner Alfredo Mailon Jr., 18-21, 21-13, 21-8, while joint No. 8 delos Santos scrambled past Jose Carlos Benipayo, 15-21, 21-19, 21-19, to stay in the hunt for the crown in the premier division of the third leg of the nationwide circuit featuring the country’s leading and rising stars at the Wheels ‘N More badminton courts.

Estanislao, meanwhile, succeeded in toppling Junio, 21-14, 16-21, 21-18, to set up a quarterfinal clash with second seed Paul Vivas, who also survived a big scare from Jobett Co, 23-21, 21-15, to underscore the level playing field in the tournament put up by Vice President and Philippine Badminton Association president Jejomar Binay, Rep. Albee Benitez and businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan.

Top seed Antonino Gadi, winner of the first two legs in Manila and Bacolod, breezed past joint No. 8 Carlos Cayanan, 21-3, 21-7, to arrange a Last 8 duel with Charlo Tengco, who stopped giant killer Rabie Oba-ob, 13-21, 21-14, 21-12.

Joint No. 6 Joper Escueta also advanced with a 21-13, 21-12 victory over Sonny Boy Montilla for a quarters showdown with Christopher Flores, who subdued Randolph Balatbat, 21-19, 16-21, 21-18.

In girls Under-19 division, back-to-back champion Bianca Carlos trampled Niña Zamora, 21-9, 21-7 to lead the quarterfinal cast that includes Clara Mae Tolosa, who swept Rozette Tabunan, 21-6, 21-16, and Margarita Villacorta, who scored a walkover win over Christa Cruz.

Top ranked Markie Alcala also launched his bid for a third straight championship in the boys Under-15 class of the event backed by official equipment sponsor Victor, exclusively distributed by PCOME Industrial Sales, Inc. as he held off Vincent Manuel, 21-16, 21-17. He takes on Emilio Mangubat Jr. in the quarters after the Whackers bet thwarted Raphael Deato in thrilling 20-22, 22-20, 21-12 victory.

Others in the Last 8 are joint third seed Joseph Manlalangit, Patrick Sumabat, Patrick Gecosala, joint No. 3 Julius Quindoza, Josh Martinez and second seed Alvin Morada.

Manlalangit clobbered Ronald Omana, 21-9, 21-9; Sumabat disposed of Fides Bagasbas, 21-7, 21-17; Gecosala routed Paul Gonzales, 21-9, 21-9; Quindoza thumped Anthony Cervantes, 21-10, 21-10; Martinez defeated Jade Carillo, 21-17, 21-13; and Morada held off Keeyann Gabuelo, 21-15, 21-15.

Top seed Isabel Leonardo beat Marinel Diansay, 21-8, 21-13, to clinch a quarters seat in girls U-15 class along with Niña Zamora, third seed and Manila leg winner Joella de Vera, Angela Ramos, Amabel Sumabat, Alyssa Geverjuan, and second seed and Bacolod leg champion Samantha Ramos.

The event is supported 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.