Ormilla stuns Gadi, barges into FDG semis

R-JAY Ormilla stunned seventh-seeded Toby Gadi, 21-18, 11-21, 21-17, while Kenneth Monterubio whipped Kevin Cudiamat, 21-11, 21-11, to barge into the semifinal round of the Open men’s singles in the FDG Cup Open and Invitational badminton tournament at Powersmash Badminton Center in Makati yesterday.

The 11th-ranked Ormilla rebounded from a second set meltdown to outlast his fellow PBA-Smash Pilipinas mainstay and earn a crack at the finals against top seed Dea Adirangga of Indonesia, who scored a walkover win over Malaysian Arif Ab Latif.

Monterubio, seeded 14th, ousted No. 8 Cudiamat to set up a Final Four duel with No. 10 Ros Pedrosa, who clipped joint No. 12th Kevin Dalisay, 21-12, 21-15, in the ranking tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association and held in honor of Robinsons Land Corporation president Frederick D. Go.

In the women’s side, No. 4 Nicole Albo stopped Aldreen Concepcion, 21-16, 21-13, and will shoot for a finals berth against joint No. 2 Asifa Nur Farisma of Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Chinese former world No. 1 Wang Xin and Wang Lin showcase their world-class skills when they play exhibition matches with Philippine Badminton Association sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez, former national team standout Kennevic Asuncion and Go starting at 3 p.m. today also at Powersmash.