Magnaye-Francisco advances to s’finals

VETERAN Peter Magnaye and Jessie Francisco weathered a passive opening set to repulse Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist Joper Escueta and Indonesian partner Keshya Hanadia, 13-21, 21-19, 21-18, and march to the semifinals of the Bingo Bonanza National Open Badminton Tournament.

Magnaye, who won the Swiss International Badminton men’s doubles title last year with Paul Vivas, worked harmoniously with Francisco as the third-ranked duo bombarded Escueta and Hanadia with well-placed smashes and drop shots at Glorietta 5 Atrium in Makati.

They arranged a semifinal clash with fellow PBA-Smash Pilipinas mainstays and second seeds Alvin Morada and Alyssa Leonardo.

Morada and Leonardo mastered Carlos Cayanan and Alyssa Geverjua, 21-12, 21-14, in the other Open mixed doubles quarterfinal match.

Ronel Estanislao and Indonesian Marissa Vita posted the day’s biggest reversal, toppling the favored tandem of Paul Pantig and Thea Pomar, 21-12, 21-14, in the quarterfinals.

Estanislao and Vita next face defending titlists Paul Vivas and Eleanor Inlayo at 11 a.m. today.

In the Open women’s doubles, Danica Bolos of Victor-PCome and Jennifer Cayetano of Air Force turned back No. 4 Fatima Cruz and Descka Calimlim of Meralco, 12-21, 21-16, 21-18, to nail a semifinals spot in the weeklong event backed by Bingo Bonanza, Victor PCome and Gatorade.

The much-awaited semifinal duel between women’s singles defending champion Gelita Castilo and No. 2 Sarah Barredo unfolds today with the winner battling either Mariya Sevilla and Airah Albo.

Defending champion Mark Alcala of Allied-NVBA ended Alvin Morada’s run, 21-12, 21-11, to forge a semifinal duel with No. 4 R-Jay Ormilla in the men’s singles. Ormilla, who lost the title to Alcala last year, defeated No. 5 Jason Obaob, 21-14, 21-19.

Top seed Kevin Cudiamat will dispute the other men’s finals berth with No. 8 Frell Gabuela.