NATIONAL team mainstays Ros Leonard Pedrosa and Jewel Angelo Albo lived up to their top billing in men’s singles at the start Monday of the Philippine Badminton Open at the Dragonsmash Badminton Center in Makati City.
Pedrosa, 26, made quick work of Lance Olavere, , 21-3, 21-4, to advance against San Beda University’s Renniel Andrey Jusi, a 21-8, 21-8 winner over Leinard Sta. Ana,.
Mark Velasco and national youth upstart Jamal Pandi also advanced to the second with Velasco rallying past former Ateneo captain Carlo Remo, 22-24, 21-9, 21-11, and the 15-year-old Pandi beating John Ehriz Bon, 21-9, 21-15.
The other end of the draw saw 19-year-old Albo buck opening-set jitters eliminate Christian Torteles, 21-14, 21-7. He takes on EJ Viloria, who reached he second round via a 12-21, 21-12, 21-13 victory over Javier Sison of Mapua University.
Women’s singles action saw University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 Rookie of the Year Anthea Gonzalez setting a potential showdown with national team mainstay Mikaela De Guzman.
Gonzalez, former national youth team member, zoomed past University of Santo Tomas’ Samantha Chozas, 21-5, 21-3, to set up a round two battle with Nenia Santiago. De Guzman, on the other hand, has Alexis Repetillo as her next assignment.