Leonardo, Mangubat stop Nat’l Open foes

FLEXING their muscles early, fancied bets Lorenzo Miguel Leonardo and Emilio Jose Mangubat made light work of their respective rivals yesterday at the start of the Philippine National Open-Ming Ramos Youth Camp Badminton Championships at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.

Hoping to impress national coach Rexy Mainaki, Leonardo bundled out Jeffrey Sy of Escoses Training Team, 21-4, 21-8, in just 10 minutes, before Mangubat overwhelmed Zedrick Paul Montemayor, 21-10, 21-13, in the boys’ 17-under tournament.

Representing Team JLTC, Leonardo will next face Joaquin Pangilinan of City Shuttler Pampanga, who posted a 21-4, 21-8 victory over John Louie Santelices of Babolat Academy.

Standing in the way of Mangubat in the next round is Vincent Rafael Manuel, who eliminated John Paul Yabut of MSI JR team, 21-14, 21-12.

In other matches, Ferdinand Marifosque bested Justine Mendoza, 21-13, 21-18; Ryan Garreth Dizer drubbed Eldrin Jahn Basilio, 21-11, 21-8; Wilfred Miguel Deato ripped Kyle Justine Legaspi, 21-12, 21-16; Alberto Hilario III smashed Lloyd Anthony Renoson, 21-15, 21-14; and Louie Medina held off Christian Boro, 21-17, 21-15.

Former Philippine Badminton Association president Amelita “Ming” Ramos hit the ceremonial serve to signal the start of the tournament that drew a total of 747 entries from 38 badminton clubs.

The tournament, sponsored by Victor/PCOME Industrial Sales, Bingo Bonanza, Sun Cellular and the Philippine Sports Commission, is part of the talent-search program conducted by Mainaky, who graced the opening rites with Alexander Villamanca, president and CEO of Victor/PCOME.

The national umpires accreditation, which has 36 aspirants from Luzon, is also being conducted alongside the five-day tournament. Cedelf P. Tupas