ETC, Prima bets reach MVP-PBaRS 2nd round

TOP SHUTTLERS from Escoses Training Center and Team Prima scored victories in the boys’ under-19 division yesterday in the opening of the MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) Makati leg which got under way yesterday at Powersmash in Makati City.

Leo Orsolino blasted Lawrence Batalla, 21-11, 21-3; Josep Cepada held off Froese Tamarra, 21-13, 21-19; Christian Boro swept past Randy Hendriyanto, 21-12, 21-13; and Shawn Sangalang downed Tyrell Gabuelo, 21-13, 21-18, as the ETC bets rolled into the second round of the tough 128-player draw.

Nepthali Pineda booted out Victor Sotto, 21-10, 21-11, to lead the charge of Team Prima with Dennis Caguicla battling back from a set down to repulse Jeffrey Iquina, 11-21, 21-13, 21-18; Jimbo Flores surviving Mark Espinoza, 21-13, 15-21, 21-16; and Sean Chan thwarting Rafael Dionisio, 21-13, 17-21, 21-15.

FEU’s Vincent Fabro and Christian Bandialan of Allied Victor, meanwhile, posted the first two victories in the men’s Open singles 128-player draw with the former beating Maverick Perez of Ilocos Sur BC, 21-9, 21-14, and the latter dominating AVHA’s Ramie Magallanes, 21-8, 21-17 in the event sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation.

For details and other results, log on to www.pbars.com or www.tournamentsoftware.com.

Other events on tap in the five-day championship, organized by the Philippine Badminton Association, headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, chair and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan, and sec gen Rep. Albee Benitez, are the Open women’s singles, the boys’ and girls’ U-15 singles, the Open, boys’ and girls doubles and the mixed doubles.

Matches ran through late last night as the organizing PBaRS extended the playing hours to accommodate the record number of close to 700 entries chasing ranking points and possible spots in the national pool.