Nat’l open badminton: Castilo-Barredo semis duel set

Sarah Joy Barredo is looking forward to another meeting with her toughest rival in the local badminton circuit.

The 16-year-old national team mainstay arranged a semifinal showdown with defending champion Gelita Castilo after scoring a 20-minute demolition of Arianne Rivera, 21-11, 21-6, Thursday in the Bingo Bonanza National Open Badminton Tournament.

“It’s always a thrill playing against her (Castilo),” said Barredo, who lost in their duel for the Open women’s singles title last year.

Castilo, who plays for UP Diliman, pulled off a 21-11, 21-14 win over Shane Salvador in the other quarterfinal match held at Glorietta 5 Atrium in Makati.

“Of course, I want to get even. But she’s a strong player, so I have to play my best out there,” said Barredo, a high school senior at Philippine Women’s University.

Barredo exacted revenge last June when she won the FDG Cup at Castilo’s expense.

The many-time Palarong Pambansa gold medalist would like to see a repeat of that conquest in the National Open.

“The difference between last year and now is that I’m more confident,” said Barredo, who honed her skills at Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall and is the daughter of a Philippine Sports Commission employee.

On a streak, Mariya Sevilla, a member of the national pool along with Barredo and Rivera, sustained her impressive form with a 21-10, 21-8 triumph opposite Tricia Pomar of Far Eastern University. She will meet Airah Albo in the semifinals slated tomorrow.

Albo had to overcome a strong second set from Aldreen Rae Concepcion of Allied-NVBA for a 21-8, 22-20 win.

In the mixed doubles quarterfinals, Peter Magnaye and Jessie Francisco of PBA-Smash will slug it out against Joper Escueta and Indonesian Keshya Hanadia.

Top seed Eleanor Inlayo and Francisco will also press their semifinal bid in women’s doubles against Indonesians Marissa Vita and Hanadia while No. 2 Aires Montilla and Kristelle Salatan of Team Prima take on Susmita Ramos and Concepcion of Allied-NVBA.

The finals of the men’s and women’s singles are set Sunday as well as the women’s and mixed doubles.

In the FDG Cup, Barredo dominated Castilo, double gold medalist in this year’s Philippine National Games, 21-15, 21-14, to rule the centerpiece division.