National junior standout Ron Ezekiel Zacarias displayed steely nerves in beating Chinese Taipei’s Chen Yu Lin, 21-15, 21-16, to advance to the men’s U19 singles Round of 32 in the inaugural Philippine Junior International Series on Tuesday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong.

Drawing from his international experience, the 18-year-old mounted an impressive comeback in the second game, erasing a 1-9 deficit before taking an 11-9 lead at the interval en route to securing his place in the next round of the tournament presented by the Philippine Sports Commission.

“I think I was still trying to find my game in the first set and in the second set I just did good,” said the San Beda University freshman.

A member of the Philippine junior national team, the Pasay City native welcomed the Philippine Badminton Association’s initiative of hosting a high-level international tournament on home soil.

The event has attracted athletes from 30 countries and is supported by the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee.

“This is truly important as it gives Filipino players to compete with foreign players. Here in the Philippines, there are limited slots on teams that are playing abroad so this is a great opportunity by the PSC and PBad to hold the competitions here,” Zacarias added.

Zacarias will next face Malaysia’s Wei Sheng Wong, who defeated the Philippines’ Sean Andre Mindanao, 21-4, 21-15, with a berth in the Round of 16 at stake.

On the other side of the draw, Axl Cosio enjoyed a memorable international debut after defeating Maldives’ Mohamed Aydhin Anwar, 21-12, 21-15.

“I am happy because I didn’t expect to win since I was trying to gain experience. I didn’t expect to make the Round of 32,” said Cosio, a native of Imus, Cavite.

Cosio will take on another Malaysian, Liew Tian Hao, who posted a 21-16, 21-16 victory over the Philippines’ Wijel Albo, for a spot in the Round of 16.

In the boys’ U15 singles division, Liam Kendrick Yuzon defeated Carlisle Delizo, 21-16, 21-13, in an all-Filipino Round of 64 clash to set up a second-round meeting with top-seeded Malaysian Jaylon Chee.