PBA-Smash shuttlers reach Sun-Ming q’finals

MANILA, Philippines - PBA-Smash Pilipinas mainstays Ros Leenard Pedrosa, Alexis Geverjuan and Frell Keeyan Gabuelo repulsed their respective rivals to reach the quarterfinal round of the boys’ 19-under singles section of the first Sun Cellular-Ming Ramos National Juniors badminton tournament Luzon leg at Powersmash in Makati recently.

Pedrosa beat Kevin Fabros of Team Prima, 21-11, 21-6; Geverjuan rallied past Roberto Pineda of Allied Victor-UP, 24-26, 26-24, 21-12; and Gabuelo outclassed John Paul Yabut of MSI junior team, 21-9, 21-19, in the third round of the elims.

Rafael Nicolas Dionisio of MSI junior team booted out Richard Paulino of IJMS, 21-13, 21-12; Benjamin Silva of UE ripped Carl Justine Eugenio of Team Imus, 21-12, 21-17; and Ruben Haramel overpowered Zedrick Paul Montemayor of Escoses, 21-16, 21-1.

Others who advanced in the quarters of the event sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association were Emilio Mangubat of Whackers Club, who beat Neil Pineda, 21-14, 21-17, and Shawn Sangalang of Escoses, who trounced Chris Sanchez of Malabon, 21-13, 21-15.

The national juniors standouts also stamped their class in the girls’ side of the event backed by Sun Cellular, Smart Communications, Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation, Philippine Badminton Association Smash Pilipinas and Babolat as Aldreen Concepcion, Nicole Albo, Alyssa Gerverjuan, Charmane Salvador, Mariya Sevilla and Sarah Barredo outclassed their respective opponents to advance to the quarters.    

 Concepcion whipped Kim Therese Jarabelo, 21-11, 21-12, to set up a Last 8 duel with Janine Peligrino of La Salle-Whackers team. Peligrino beat Ysabelle Marie Diaz of Adamson, 21-13, 21-14.

Geverjuan outclassed Mikaela Aquino of Adamson, 21-14, 21-15, for a clash with Albo, who beat Geraldine Delizo of Whackers, 21-5, 21-4; Salvador defeated Alexandrea Lim, 21-15, 22-20, for a duel with Adamson’s Margarita Villacorta, who thumped Celina Javier, 21-18, 8-7 (ret.).

Sevilla bundled out Joanna San Pedro of Adamson, 21-3, 21-12, to seal a showdown with Barredo, who clipped Monica Rivera of La Salle, 21-10, 21-12.