Local bets trim rivals in Batang Pinoy Mindanao leg

DAPITAN CITY, Philippines  – Local bet Jelza Maey Amores cruised past Kyla Kiezl Diaz of Zamboanga City, 8-4, to reach the semifinal round of the girls’ tennis singles in the Batang Pinoy 2012 Mindanao leg in Dapitan City yesterday.

Jason Saavedra, another local talent and a silver medalist in last year’s Palarong Pambansa, also dominated Steve Centennial Maghanoy of Zamboanga Sibugay, 8-3, to gain in the boys’ side.

It was a sweet revenge for Amores, whose younger sister Jazzy Mae bowed to Diaz, 4-8, in the first round.

Saadvedra’s victory made up for the early exit of teammates Rolly Elopre, Jerry Bagabuyo and Arnelo Gallemit who lost to Paul Chyrel Dandado of Siocon (8-2), Jeff Balatero of Tangub City (8-2) and Junel Canal of Agusan del Sur (8-0), respectively.

Also making the semis in girls singles were Alliah Elline Ragunton of Cotabato who stunned top seed Mary Rose Bael of Dapitan City, 8-1. Ragunton will face Rosuel Anne Binondo of Davao del Norte, who trounced Jed Vallie Rayne Aquino of Davao del Norte, 8-6.

Amores will take on in the semis Diadem Sasota of Cotabato, an 8-3 winner over Franchette Faye Helar of Zamboanga Sibugay.

Badminton events also started with Art Villanueva of Zamboanga Sibugay advancing to the second round with a 21-11, 21-17 victory over Dapitan City’s Paul Tacbayan.

Action shifts to high gear Thursday with the start of swimming competitions and field events in athletics.

Batang Pinoy project director Jay Alano the other day said that they will no longer stage the track events because the RMSU sports complex oval is unfit for use due to damages brought by rains.

Instead, she said the PSC will be giving each local government units a maximum number of six entries each for the national finals in Iloilo.