Concepcion, Pedrosa make Sun-Ming finals

MANILA, Philippines - Ross Pedrosa and Aldreen Concepcion disposed of separate rivals in contrasting fashions to advance to the finals of first Sun Cellular-Ming Ramos national juniors badminton tournament Luzon leg at Powersmash in Makati City over the weekend.

Pedrosa, a member of the PBA-Smash Pilipinas junior team, trounced fellow national player Alexis Geverjuan, 21-16, 21-14, to set up a title duel with Frell Keeyan Gabuelo, also a national team mainstay, in the boys’ 19-under singles division.

Gabuelo survived Emilio Mangubat Jr. of Whackers, 22-20, 20-22, 21-11, to barge into the finals of the tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association and Philippine National Ranking System.

Concepcion outlasted fellow national player Alyssa Geverjuan, 14-21, 22-20, 21-19, to arrange a showdown with national team player Sarah Joy Barredo for the girls’ 19-under singles title.

Barredo dominated national junior player Charmane Salvador, 21-10, 21-16, in the semis of the tournament backed by Sun Cellular, SMART Communications, Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) Sports Foundation, PBA Smash Pilipinas and Babolat.   

In the boys’ 17-under singles semis, Emilio Mangubat of Whackers whipped John Henrick Peralta of La Salle-Antipolo, 21-19, 21-16, to seal a title clash with Fides Whackers Joven Bagasbas, who defeated Luis Joaquin Pangilinan of Allied Victor, 21-17, 21-18.