National Team smashers march on to quarters

THE NATIONAL squad members continued their assault upon the rest of the field in the men’s singles even as new blood emerged on the distaff side during the Philippine National Open-Ming Ramos Youth Camp Badminton Championships at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall yesterday.

Seven national shuttlers advanced to the quarterfinals following impressive wins led by top-seed Paul Vivas, who subdued fellow national player Kevin Alfred Dalisay with a 21-16, 21-13 victory.

Meanwhile, Markie Alcala stunned top-seeded JC Clarito, 21-14, 21-18, to crash into the quarterfinal round of the boys’ singles U-19.

Alcala earlier thwarted Leandro Jose De Dios, 21-13, 21-18, to reach third round while Clarito held off Anthony Chen, 21-19, 21-19.

In the women’s singles, Janelle Gloriane de Vera of Whackers advanced to the quarters after a grueling 18-21, 22-20, 21-12 win over La Salle’s Danica San Ignacio.

De Vera will battle Priscilla Joyce Po of Escoses Training Camp, who beat Rachel Gabrielle Dizer, 21-9, 21-4.

Also making the next round were Alizandra Candelaria, Jennifer Cayetano and Flo Lamigo, Candelaria edged Danica Bolos, 21-17, 16-21, 21-16, to set up a match against Cayetano who drubbed Dorothy Pagarigan, 21-8, 21-7. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio