Berce, Tablante book U15 doubles final berth

Seanna Berce and Psalm Tablante needed just under 40 minutes to book their date with destiny — a ticket to the girls’ under-15 doubles final of the inaugural Philippine Junior International Series on Saturday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.

The 12-year-old pair from Laguna reached the milestone after a 21-18, 17-21, 21-12 victory over Malaysia’s Tian Ning Chuah and Cynthia Ooi, ensuring that the Philippine flag will fly high through the final day of the tournament presented by the Philippine Sports Commission.

“We didn’t actually expect to be in the finals,” said Tablante, who hails from Biñan, Laguna.

After achieving a historic feat, Berce said the pressure is now off heading into the final, with the pair simply focused on giving their best on the court.

“Win or lose, we are going just to be okay. What’s important is we did our best,” said Berce, from San Pablo City.

Berce and Tablante will look to take it a step further when they face Malaysia’s Leanne Fong and Xin Yan Liew in the championship match. The Malaysian pair advanced after defeating Thailand’s Sirikhorn Chongcharoen and Wichyada Nokmow, 21-16, 22-20.

Ellaikha Canillo and Nica Gulpany, meanwhile, ended their Cinderella run with a podium finish in the women’s under-19 doubles after falling to Thailand’s Kungkaew Kakanik and Montra Sae Jiew, 21-23, 12-21.

National junior team standouts Stephen Pantuan and Roaquine Ramos likewise settled for third place in the men’s U19 doubles after Malaysia’s Yusuf M. Iqbal and Khairul Azan Khashah escaped with a 21-16, 21-17 victory.

In the women’s U19 singles, Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen will shoot for glory against Thailand’s Kakanik.