Castillo, playing out of Centro Atletico, romped away with a 21-8, 21-2 rout of Dorothy Griarte in the upper half of the draw of the centerpiece event to arrange a clash with Michelle Cruz, the Woodrose School mainstay who held off Arabelle Lacorte of Sports Zone, 21-17, 21-9.

Alcala, also the player to watch in the 12-under class, bundled out Vicka Dorado of RAQ4, 21-6, 2111, to set up a quarterfinal round duel with Krisnin Yang in the lower bracket. Yang, a top bet of Whackers Badminton Court, downed Tracy Alagao of Power and Speed, 21-15, 21-11.

Others who advanced in the tournament, sponsored by JVC (PHILS.), Inc. and organized by IMG, were Kathleen Balatbat of Malolos, Abegail Garcia of PNP, and Centro Atletico’s Jessalam Sampurna and Pia Fabros.

Balatbat survived Suchika Kumar of RAQ4, 21-14, 21-14; Garcia defeated Cristine Ignacio, 2110, 21-10; Sampurna routed Creza Songsong of Sangandaan, 21-3, 21-10; and Fabros prevailed over Kiara Castelo, 21-15, 21-9.

Meanwhile, hostilities in the boys’ singles and doubles in the 14-under class are being played at presstime.

Fabulous prizes, ranging from JVC gift items to L-Time Studio watches to Pioneer personal and educational plans, are at stake in the event backed by Victor, exclusively distributed by Pcome Industrial Sales, Bingo Bonanza, Snickers Chocolate, Hanford, LTime Studio, Lactacyd, Alaska, Pinoy Exchange, Pioneer Life, Accel, PowerSmash, The STAR, Sunbolt and Rudy Project.