ROS LEENARD PEDROSA pulled off a solid statement win in the men’s singles quarterfinals against national juniors standout Jamal Pandi in the Philippine Badminton Open Friday at the Dragonsmash Badminton Center in Makati City.
The country’s No. 1 Pedrosa needed 35 minutes to disposed of the 15-year-old Pandi, 21-11, 21-15, to move into the semifinals of this tournament backed by Yamaha, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, MWell, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation and Meralco.
Pedrosa will face Mark Velasco in the semifinals. Velasco scored a 21-12, 21-10 win over King Arthur Espiritu.
Lance Vargas and Lanz Zafra square off in the other semifinal pairing after victories past over collegiate standouts Lyrden Laborte, 21-17, 14-21, 21-14, and Kervin Llanes, 18-21, 21-16, 21-18, respectively.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Dickie Bachmann witnessed the Friday’s events.
“I’m very happy to see all the badminton players finally compete again is such a scale, seeing athletes compete across all ages, levels, and skill sets,” Bachmann said. “I am just glad that sports is slowly getting back,” the newly appointed sports agency head shared.”
Mika De Guzman paced the women’s side with a quick work of Ysabel Amora, 21-11, 21-9, while Christel Rei Fuentespina fended off Karyll Rio, 21-19, 13-21, 21-12.
National team (Smash Pilipinas) doubles standouts also took care of business.
Alvin Morada and Christian Bernardo dominated surprise quarterfinalists Jeno Carino and Allen Penute, 21-11, 21-15, in men’s doubles where they take on next Jerick Obaob and Johan Rivas. Julius Villabrille and Solomon Padiz Jr., who beat Jason Vanzuela and Michael Clemente, 21-9, 19-21, 21-14, will go up against another University of the Philippijes-Allied Badminton duo Kervin Llanes and Paul Gonzales for a place in the final.
Alyssa Leonardo and Thea Pomar breezed past Gabrielle Ainza and Kate Amigable, 21-9, 21-9, in the women’s play, while Nicole Albo and Lea Inlayo fashioned a similar rout of Althea Hernandez and Tia Bualat, 21-6, 21-12.
Morada and Leonardo also paced the mixed doubles semifinalists after a 21-15, 21-10 win over Arthur Salvado Jr. and Missy Cervantes in 25 minutes. Joining them are Bernardo and Pomar on the other side, 21-11, 21-12 victors over Clemente and Andrea Abalos.