National junior team standout Eve Bejasa advanced to the Round of 16 of the girls’ under-19 singles after sweeping compatriot Nica Gulpany, 21–11, 21–11, on the second day of the inaugural Philippine Junior International Series, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, on Wednesday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong.
Fresh off her strong showing in the Philippine National Badminton Open, the 17-year-old from Cebu City dominated from the opening rally, needing just 21 minutes to secure her place in the next round of the tournament, which is backed by Yonex, Sunrise, Smart, Gameville Central Park, Cignal, mWell, MVP Sports Foundation, Maynilad, Jollibee, Milksha, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, PLDT, TELESCOOP, and Uratex.
“I thought nung una, kasi I’m not feeling well, so, parang mga 50–50 po ‘yung laro ko, pero I did my best po kaya ‘yung lumalabas,” said Bejasa.
With another match ahead, Bejasa hopes to continue delivering for the Philippines in the tournament, which has attracted young shuttlers from more than 30 countries and is supported by the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee.
“Actually, nakakaproud po knowing na tayo na po ang nag-host ngayon. It’s a big pride po sa ‘min, kaya as much as possible kami, mga junior national team po, nagtatry po kami ng best namin na makapanalo,” Bejasa shared.
“For us na mga junior players na Filipino, sobrang malaki experience po ‘yung nakukuha namin from other nationalities. Kasi ‘pag nakakalaban po namin sila, parang need po talaga namin mag-angat ng level namin na to the point na kaya naming makipagsabayan sa kanila,” she added.
Bejasa will next face Canada’s Althia Bedi for a place in the quarterfinals. Bedi outlasted the Philippines’ Imari Dawn Jimenez in three games, 21–16, 17–21, 21–19.
Joining Bejasa in the quarterfinal hunt are Christel Fuentespina and Ma. Nicole Notorio, who both registered impressive victories.
Fuentespina, another national junior team standout, overwhelmed compatriot Zoe Driz, 21–5, 21–4, while Notorio defeated Thailand’s Montra Sae Jiew, 21–14, 21–17.
(C) PBAD
In the girls’ under-15 division, Alexzandria Gail Noceja also booked her place in the Round of 16 after a commanding 21–7, 21–11 victory over compatriot Alyzha Marabulas.
Noceja will face India’s Kyra Raina, who defeated the Philippines’ Kathlyn Ocampo, 21–4, 21–11, for a quarterfinal berth.
Jaleesa Condez also advanced to the second round after edging Maldives’ Ahmed Mahloof Laiba in a tightly contested match, 22–20, 22–20.
On the boys’ side of the under-15 division, Carlitos Joe Corrales put up a fight against Malaysia’s Yin Jie Wong but bowed out after a 10–21, 21–23, 15–21 second-round loss.
Fans can catch select matches throughout the tournament, while all championship matches will be streamed live and free on PusoP.com, as well as on the Smart Sports Facebook and YouTube platforms, bringing the country’s newest international badminton event to audiences nationwide.
