Cudiamat survives gritty foe

TOP SEED Kevin Cudiamat survived the rash of upsets that befell the other fancied bets in the men’s Open singles in the FDG Cup 2015 Open and Invitational Badminton Championships at Powersmash in Makati City yesterday.

Cudiamat, who eased past Malaysian Wee Peng Sim in straight sets in the first round, thwarted Carlos Cayanan, 20-22, 21-14, 21-10, to crash into the Last 16 of the four-day, ranking tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association.

Meanwhile, London Olympics silver medalist Mizuki Fujii arrived yesterday and will see action with former world and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat in tomorrow’s exhibition match with Frederick Go and former Olympian Kennevic Asuncion at Robinsons Place Manila.

Cudiamat next faces John Pantig, who routed Vietnam’s Van Thanh, 21-9, 21-11.

Four Malaysians poised themselves for a big finish as Cheerandeev Arutchelvan bundled out No. 4 Kevin Dalisay, 22-20, 17-21, 21-14; Qar Siong Yap repulsed No. 13 Alexis Geverjuan, 5-21, 21-10, 21-18; Shahzan Bin Muneer swept No. 14 Lorenzo Leonardo, 21-18, 21-17; and Jhothiswaran Karupathevan smothered Airom Punongbayan, 21-14, 21-13.

Japanese Tomoya Takashina also came away with a 22-20, 21-14 victory over No. 12 Ethan Malelang to barge into the Last 16.

The awards rites will be held at Century Park Hotel on Sunday starting at 7 p.m.

Second seed Jayson Oba-ob blasted Ryan Dizer, 21-8, 21-10; Jon Masongsong whipped Jade Sarmiento, 21-10, 21-14; Wilson Lopez thumped Solomon Padiz, 21-13, 21-6; Frell Gabuelo crushed Ronald Ongcuangco, 21-14, 21-10; Alvin Morada toppled Randolf Balatbat, 21-13, 21-13; R-Jay Ormilla repulsed Malaysian Ikmal Bin Jaafar, 21-18, 17-21, 21-7; Ross Pedrosa downed Joshua Bernard, 21-9, 21-7; and Carl Clemente turned back Neil Pineda, 18-21, 21-18, 21-19.

Mark Alcala, a double gold medalist in last week’s national games, subdued Paul Vivas, 21-17, 21-17, to stay in the title hunt.