Salvador, Malibiran pull off stunners in PBaRS

MANILA, Philippines - Unranked Shane Salvador fought back from a set down to topple seventh seed Niña Zamora, 11-21, 21-9, 21-13, while Edrickson Malibiran bundled out No. 5 Paolo Santos also in three in the Under-19 class in the MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) tournament at Powersmash in Makati yesterday.

Salvador surprised Zamora with a variety of shots, including winners after winners in the last two sets to roll into the third round of the girls’ U-19 dominated by the other fancied bets, led by top seed defending champion Bianca Carlos, No. 2 Patrisha Malibiran and Malvinne Ann Alcala.

Edrickson Malibiran, on the other hand, outsteadied Santos in an extended, decider as the Golden Shuttle Foundation mainstay hacked out an 18-21, 21-18, 25-23 victory to gain in the boys’ U-19 of the ranking event sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association.

Others who advanced were top seed Clarence Filart, Felix Camillo, Frell Gabuelo, Joshua Monterubio, Jan Sinfuego, Elijah Boac, Sean Chan, Carl Clemente, Alexis Geverjuan, Carlo Remo, Jerickson Oba-ob, Mark Alcala, Edgard Reyes, Lorenzo Leonardo and Rogine Sola, who also upset No. 8 Christian Uy, 10-21, 21-12, 23-21.

Carlos opened her defense of one of the two crowns in the event backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission, the PBA and official equipment sponsor Victor, exclusively distributed in the country by PCOME Industrial Sales, Inc., with a 21-15, 21-10 romp over Jeline Masongsong while Patrisha Malibiran booted out Kim Jarabelo, 21-6, 21-3.