MANILA, June 27 (PNA) – Unheralded local mixed tandem of Greg Paz and Gelli Ramos saved the day for the Philippine team, giving the country its first ever bronze medal in the 14th ASEAN Schools Badminton championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

 Paz and Ramos, who started playing together only two weeks ago, upset Thailand’s Siripong Ketwong and Thumphukkanan Ampunsuwan, 21-16, 21-19, Friday morning to barge into the semifinals of the 18-under tournament.

However, the Filipino pair failed to keep the winning momentum as they bowed to much experienced Muhammad Ulinuha and Della Destiara Haris of powerhouse Indonesia, 14-21, 7-21, in the afternoon semifinals match.

”Despite the lost, we still considered this as a big achievement considering these players played together only two weeks ago and yet they were able to give our country its first ever medal since we joined the tournament,” said RP team coach Lloyd Escoses

Paz and Ramos reached the quarterfinals via a 21-8, 21-7 victory over Md Rahimin Bi Mohd Azri and Sazulinah Bte Hj. Mohad. Saat of Brunei on Thursday.

The 17-year-old Paz is from Marikina Polytechnic College while Gomez is a 15-year-old bronze winner in the recent Palarong Pambansa from University of Perpetual Help-Laguna.

Ulinuha and Haris advanced in the finals versus Thailand’s Bodi Isara and Nuttaya Sanlekunan who defeated Indonesia’s Rendy Sugiarto and Aurien Hudiono, 21-14, 21-12, in other semifinals match of the mixed doubles.

Meanwhile, Filipino top boys’ singles player Joeper Escueta extended Thai rival Pollawat Boonpan in three close and heated games, 21-19, 15-21 and 22-24 to end his campaign to reach the semifinals.

Escueta, 15, took in stride his opponent’s court antics that resulted in two yellow cards but lost out after enjoying match points at 20-19, 21-20 and 22-21 in the deciding game.

After the match, Thai team manager Kittipong Potimu approached the tournament referee, the match umpire and a line judge and expressed his apologies for his player’s attitude.

”I am sorry for my player’s disrespectful attitude toward the umpire and the line judge,” he said.

Escueta of Colegio Monterei de Pila defeated Noriskandar Omar of Brunei, 21-12, 21-14, in the previous round of the tournament sponsored by STI, Taraflex, Milo, Mabuhay Manor Hotel, Centrum, Absolute, Rebisco, Domino’s Pizza, Superferry, AirPhilippines, Gold’s Gym, Splash Island and