By CYRUS M. GARDE
BACOLOD City — Four Negrense badminton players are set to compete in the 1st Sun Cellular Ming Ramos National Juniors badminton tournament on Oct. 24 to 25 in Manila.
Ellana Tan of St. John’s Institute, Mia Manguilomotan of Talisay City, and Cadiz City natives Dhessa Mae Ariño and April Dianne Bibiano (University of Saint La Salle) are Palarong Pambansa veterans during elementary and high school.
Their national tournament stint will follow their victory in the Visayas regional qualifying round held in Banilad, Cebu last month.
Representing their respective schools and local government units, the four will compete with the best of other regions.
Tan and Manguilomotan advanced into the national finals after capturing the championship in the Under-15 girls’ doubles event, while Ariño and Bibiano prevailed in the Under-19 girls’ doubles, during the regionals.
The Tan–Manguilomotan tandem claimed the gold medal after beating Susmita Angelique Ramos and Faith Taala, 21-16, 21-16, in the final round. Tan also won silver, while Manguilimotan grabbed bronze in the Under-15 girls’ singles.
Ariño and Bibiano, on the other hand, defeated Elca Marie Gidaya and Cana Isabel Solon of Silliman University, 21-3, 21-4, to claim the championship.
The four will join fellow Negrenses Yana Ysabel Chua and Cody Torres of Bacolod Tay Tung High School, who also emerged as champions in the Under-15 mixed doubles event in the regionals./PN
