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By Emil C. Noguera Correspondent
Filipino Rodel Bartolome made his
presence felt in the men’s singles as he repulsed Raj Popat of
Wales, 21-19, 21-11, in the $120,000 Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open
Badminton Championships at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Bartolome cruised to the second
round along with Jaime Junio, Jose Martinez and Paul Co while
majority of the RP bets fell one after the other to their foreign
counterparts of this graded four-star tournament.
Junio, Martinez and Co advanced
via walkover wins over Zi Wong, Zong Ren Ng and Yong Zhao Chen of
Singapore, respectively.
But the four locals will have
their hands full in the next round with Bartolome taking on number
seven and former world junior champion Chen Long of China.
Chen is tipped to contend for the
crown following victories over current world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei of
Malaysia and former top players Lin Dan of China and Taufik Hidayat
of Indonesia.
“I feel the pressure but I’m
confident,” said Chen.
Patrick Magnaye surprised
Slovenia’s Iztok Utrosa in the first set but lost steam in the end
and absorbed a sorry 16-21, 21-11, 21-11 setback.
“He surprised his rival with a
number of deceptive shots but Iztok made the adjustment in the last
two sets and wore down Magnaye in the end,” said RP team coach
Allan de Leon, referring to 18-year-old Magnaye, who competed in the
Asean Badminton tourney.
Raymond Padilla was the first to
bow out with a 7-21, 18-21 setback to Hong Kong’s Chan Yun Lang,
then Melvin Llanes took a 10-21, 9-21 beating from China’s Lu
Qicheng.
Peter Magnaye followed suit with
a 17-21, 15-21 loss to Singapore’s Febriyan Irvannaldy then
Benjamin Gadi fell to Zhou Wenlong, also of China, 8-21, 12-21.
In other results, Joper Escueta
lost to Malaysia’s Kay Bin Yeoh, 21-23, 14-21; Jobett Co bowed to
Singapore’s Huang Chao, 19-21, 17-21; Gabriel Villanueva fell to
Indonesian Adnan Fauzi, 17-21, 10-21; Kelvin Dalisay succumbed to
Malaysian Beryno Wong, 10-21, 14-21; Aries de los Santos lost to
Hong Kong’s Wong Wing Ki, 8-21, 12-21; Gregg Paz stumbled against
Malaysia’s Pei Wee Chung, 7-21, 17-21; and Sonny Boy Montilla was
outclassed by China’s Du Pengyu, 6-21, 5-21.
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