DEFENDING champion University of San Jose Recoletos sent four smashers into the gold medal round as it tries to retain its title in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc (CESAFI) Badminton Tournament held yesterday at the Metrosports in Lahug.
Mary Rose Montebon will defend her women’s singles group A title against University of San Carlos’ Janel Dihiansan today at 10 a.m.
Celia Li, the only USC lauyer who was able to break the USJ-R juggernaut last year, hopes to repeat the feat this year when she battles USJ-R’s Jenny Coca in the group B final.
Clint Armamento of USJ-R, the defending Men’s group A champion, earned another chance to defend his title by marching to the final where he will play the winner of the other semifinal duel between University of the Visayas’ JR Batulan and Southwestern University’s Albert Joseph Patalinghug.
Armamento’s teammate Charles Plaza also advanced to the Men’s group B final where he will meet the winner of the semifinal match between University of Cebu’s Jonathan Cortes and Norbert Abotan-mo of USC.
Defending women’s doubles champion USJ-R was still playing last year’s runner-up SWU in the semifinals with the winners earning a crack at early finalist UC which emerged the darkhorse in women’s doubles.
The tandem of James Bell Rizon and John Roy Densing of USJ-R is just one win away from defending their crown after marching to the final round. UC’s Mark Puentevella and Axel Dan Ocampo was still playing Jed Alisson Cagulada and Pablo Aredidon for a beth in the final.
Meanwhile, the secondary division competition will kick off today while the final matches in the collegiate division will fire off at 10 a.m.