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, yesterday 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 backed by Yonex, Sunrise, Smart, Gameville Central Park, Cignal, mWell, MVP Sports Foundation, Maynilad, Jollibee, Milksha, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., PLDT, TELESCOOP, and Uratex.
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.
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.