Alcala, De Vera sail to quarters

MANILA, Philippines - Fancied Malvinne Ann Alcala and Janelle De Vera bundled out their respective rivals to cruise into the quarterfinal round of the girls’ Under-19 class in the PBA-Victor Ming Ramos Youth Cup Badminton Championships at the PSC Badminton Hall at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex yesterday.

The top-seeded Alcala disposed of joint No. 4 Janine Peligrino, 21-12, 21-15, to set up a duel with giant-killer Maridel Rivera, who booted out joint fourth seed Aldreen Conception earlier, then hurdled Alyssia Rubio, 21-15, 21-9.

De Vera, of Whackers BA, foiled joint No. 4 Mariya Sevilla, 21-17, 21-12, to seal a showdown with national juniors team mainstay Alyssa Geverjuan, who dominated Grezel Alcuitas, 21-11, 21-12, in the event put up by Philippine Badminton Association honorary chair and former First Lady Amelita “Ming” Ramos.

Also moving into the Last 8 are No. 3 Mary Ann Marañon of Whackers BA, who stopped Terence Pomar, 21-16, 21-16; joint No. 4 Airah Albo of Phl Juniors, who smothered Mikaela Aquino, 21-13, 21-15; joint No. 4 Michal Duquilla, who beat Monica Rivera, 21-9, 21-10, and Sarah Bernardo, also of Phl Jrs, who ousted Christine Varias, 21-9, 21-6.