SOUTHEAST Asian Games-bound standouts Ros Pedrosa and Mika De Guzman kicked off their 2019 SMART National Open Badminton Tournament stints in style on Monday evening at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.
Pedrosa, the top-ranked player, took two quick wins in both the morning and afternoon sessions to reach the fifth round of the men's singles event. The former UAAP Most Valuable Player first dominated Vicarlo Buenaventura, Jr., 21-12, 21-10. He then needed only 35 minutes to take down Lance Novilla, 21-13, 21-11.
Second seed Lyrden Laborte beat Christian Selga, 21-14, 14-21, 21-14, to join Pedrosa in the next phase.
UAAP Season 81 Rookie of the Year De Guzman waylaid Lorraine Araneta, 21-6, 21-4, to advance to the third round of the women's singles.
Seventh seed Jeya Pinlac joins the Lady Eagle in the next round after sweeping Lizette Dela Cueva at 21-10, 21-13. Princess Barrientos likewise advanced at the expense of Anielka Paz, in a marathon 15-21, 21-14, 21-19 contest.
Men's doubles action also saw seeded pairs into the third round. Sixth seeds Gregg Paz and Orlan Ticala drubbed Lennox Cuilao and Aaron Prieto, 21-14, 21-11; while seventh-ranked Elbren Concha and Jerrickson Obaob beat Aran Booc and Miguel Relente, 21-2, 21-5.
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