EYES ON THE BALL. Top Filipino junior Christopher Buraga (left) competes against Richard Espinola during their first-round match at the Philippine Satellite Series 2 held at the National Squash Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate on April 13, 2023. Buraga won, 12-24,11-4, 11-5, 11-3. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Top Filipino junior Christopher Buraga rallied past Richard Espinola to reach the second round of the Philippine Satellite Series 2 at the National Squash Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila on Thursday night.
After losing the first set at 12-14, Buraga clawed back and claimed the next three sets, 11-4, 11-5, 11-3, to win the match.
Buraga, currently No. 9 in the Asian Squash Federation Under-17 rankings, will be up against men's world No. 367 Yoo Jae-jin of South Korea, who scored an 11-4, 11-3, 11-4 victory over Filipino Carl Carillo.
Manila SEA (South East Asian) Games (2019) doubles champions Robert Andrew Garcia and David William Peliño also made it to the next round of the event organized by the Philippine Squash Academy, Inc. (PSA) headed by Robert Bachmann.
Garcia, the tournament top seed, pulled off an 11-6, 11-6, 11-6 win over Claudio Paganpan Jr. to set up a second-round duel with Jonathan Reyes, who rallied past Lydio Espinola Jr., 12-14, 11-3, 13-11, 11-8.
Peliño, ranked No. 431 in the world, downed Jesu Rainne Garcia, 11-3, 11-9, 11-4, to advance against Anson Wong of Hong Kong, who stamped his class over Filipino Rodan Banquilay, 11-5, 11-3, 11-5.
Wilson Chan, also from Hong Kong, gained a second-round berth following his 11-5, 11-3, 11-7 triumph over Filipino Meljohn Arebado.
Chan will face Reymark Begornia, who conquered Alan Relano, 11-3, 11-6, 11-8.
World's No. 187 Garcia is eyeing a sweep of the three-leg Satellite. He defeated Begornia, 11-2, 5-11, 11-4, 13-11, in the first leg final last week. The third leg will be held from April 20-23.
Garcia and Peliño have won two titles this year. They beat locals Marcus Phua and Tan Zhi Rui in the Open category final of the 23rd International Jumbo Doubles for the President's Cup at the Tangalin Club in Singapore on February 19.
The Filipinos claimed their second consecutive title on February 26, beating Indonesians Agung Wilant and Haris Nurhakimbuwana at the Philippine Jumbo Doubles Championships.
Garcia downed Peliño to claim the National Open title last month. He reached the quarterfinal round of the Professional Squash Association Challenge Cup in Hong Kong on March 15-18. (PNA)
