Christel Fuentespina ensured the Philippines will have a homegrown contender to cheer for this weekend after advancing to the quarterfinals of the girls’ under-19 singles in the inaugural Philippine Junior International Series, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, with a 21-10, 17-21, 21-10 victory over Chinese Taipei’s Tsai Ning Tu on Thursday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The national junior team standout recovered from a second-set setback to regain control in the decider, completing her Round of 16 triumph in just over 44 minutes in the tournament backed by Yonex, Sunrise, Smart, Gameville Central Park, Cignal, mWell, MVP Sports Foundation, Maynilad, Jollibee, Milksha, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, PLDT, TELESCOOP, and Uratex.
“Masaya po sa feeling kasi mismong sa Philippines po siya ginanap, at nagka-chance po ako na makapag-quarterfinals at maipakita po ‘yung galing ng Filipino player,” Fuentespina shared.
The 17-year-old shuttler also emphasized the importance of hosting a tournament of this caliber, which has drawn young athletes from 30 countries and is supported by the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee.
“Sobrang importante kasi ‘yung mga ibang players na hindi po afford na magpunta sa ibang bansa for international tournaments, nagkaroon po sila ng chance na makalaro dito mismo sa Philippines at maipakita rin po nila kung ano ‘yung kaya nila,” Fuentespina said.
Fuentespina will next face top-seeded Indian Naishaa Kaur Bhatoye, who defeated Ma. Nicole Notorio, 21-14, 21-14, for a place in the semifinals.
(C) PBAD
Joining her in the quarterfinals is fellow national junior team member Eve Bejasa, who defeated Canada’s Althia Bedi, 21-16, 21-18.
The victory served as a strong response for the young Cebuana after she and Roaquine Ramos were eliminated from the mixed under-19 doubles earlier in the day, falling to Malaysians Yusuf M. Iqbal and Hwee Ling Leong, 10-21, 17-21.
“Actually, nung mixed po, nasayangan po kami since late po ‘yung adjustment namin do’n. Pagkatalo po, nag-try po ako na mag-meditate po muna to try to focus on my next match po. Ayon po, nagawa ko naman po,” Bejasa said.
She will next face the winner between Thailand’s Chanya Saritdichainanta and Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen.
In mixed under-19 doubles, Ralph Niño Dalojo and Enya Almazan also advanced to the quarterfinals after sweeping fellow Filipinos Prince Lloren and Jaci Canete, 21-8, 21-10, in an all-Filipino second-round encounter. They will next take on Iqbal and Leong for a spot in the semifinals.
The Philippines also enjoyed success in the under-15 doubles events, with Khalil Arimao and Jan Lemar Salomon advancing to the boys’ quarterfinals, while Seanna Reign Berce and Psalm Tablante reached the girls’ last eight.
Arimao and Salomon pulled off an impressive 21-11, 21-10 upset over Malaysia’s Jian Yuean Loo and Jian Hau Ng. Berce and Tablante, meanwhile, defeated Maldives’ Ahmed Mahloof Laiba and India’s Kyra Raina, 23-21, 21-16.
Fans can watch select matches throughout the tournament, with all championship matches streaming live and free on PusoP.com, as well as the Smart Sports Facebook and YouTube platforms, bringing the country’s newest international badminton event to audiences nationwide.
