Aquino, Rosal advance

MANILA, Philippines - Mikaela Aquino and Heidi Rosal squeezed out a pair of three-setters to barge into the semifinal round of the girls Under-17 class while Beatrice Felizardo and Monica Rivera dominated their rivals to set up the other Final 4 duel in the PBA Ming Ramos Victor Youth Non-Ranking Championships at Jump Smash Badminton Court at St. San Francisco Del Monte, QC over the weekend.

Aquino, a DARE 4:13 Badminton Academy mainstay, battled back from a set down to frustrate Raelyn Almendras of Allied-Victor Team, 18-21, 21-10, 21-6, to seal a showdown with Rosal of Babolat Academy, who upended Janelle Andres of Lining, 22-20, 13-21, 22-20, for a crack at the crown.

Felizardo, also of Lining Academy, swooped down on Ira Villanueva of Allied-Victor, 21-16-21-9, to advance to the semis against teammate Rivera, who saw off Team Prima’s Anne Chen, 21-7, 21-8, in the event staged in honor of Philippine Badminton Association honorary chairperson and former First Lady Mrs. Amelita “Ming” Ramos and held as part of PBA’s Bagong Bida Grassroots Program.