Leonardo, Mangubat gain in Phl Open

MANILA, Philippines - Lorenzo Miguel Leonardo and Emilio Jose Mangubat downed their opening round rivals to lead the winners in the boys’ singles 17-under division at the start of the Philippine National Open-Ming Ramos Youth Camp Badminton Championships at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall yesterday.

Leonardo, of JLTC team, needed just 10 minutes to dispose of Jeffrey Sy of Escoses Training Team, 21-4, 21-8, while Mangubat trounced Zedrick Paul Montemayor, 21-10, 21-13, in 20 minutes to advance against Joaquin Pangilinan and Vincent Rafael Manuel, respectively.

Pangilinan, of City Shuttler Pampanga, drubbed John Louie Santelices of Babolat Academy, 21-4, 21-8, while Manuel, also of JLTC, bundled out John Paul Yabut of MSI JR team, 21-14, 21-12.

Former Philippine Badminton Association president Amelita “Ming” Ramos hit the ceremonial serve to kick-off the annual weeklong tournament sponsored by Victor/PCOME Industrial Sales, Bingo Bonanza, Sun Cellular and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Other winners were Ferdinand Allen Marifosque, who beat Justine Mendoza, 21-13, 21-18; Ryan Garreth Dizer, who bested Eldrin Jahn Basilio, 21-11, 21-8; Wilfred Miguel Deato, who ripped Kyle Justine Legaspi, 21-12, 21-16; Alberto Hilario III, who clobbered Lloyd Anthony Renoson, 21-15, 21-14; and Louie John Medina, who held off Christian Justin Boro, 21-17, 21-15.

A total of 747 entries from 38 badminton clubs showed up for the age-group competitions which will also form part of the talent search being conducted by national team coach Rexy Mainaky and his assistant Minarti Timur.

The Open category, which pits the national players against other Phl team aspirants and other rising stars, was being played at presstime.

Mainaky also graced the opening ceremony along with Alexander Villamanca, president and CEO of Victor/PCOME, and tournament director Conrado Co.

Meanwhile, the national umpires accreditation is also being held in conjunction with the five-day tournament with 36 candidates from Luzon joining the program.

In boys singles 15-under, Genesis Salas blasted John Francisco, 21-13, 21-16, Jonathan Nelmida repulsed Pancho Santelices, 13-21, 21-12, 21-13, Boris Sumabat downed James Marcus Candelario, 21-12, 21-9 and Jean Paolo Manegneg thwarted Emilio Mangubat Jr., 21-11, 21-9. Miguel Gio Santiago routed Carl Jericho Tan, 21-4, 21-14, Leon Christopher Escobar nipped Jason Valenzuela, 18-21, 21-18, 21-19; and Daryl Yang edged Jonathan Velasco, 21-16, 21-16.