Alcala kampeon sa Smart National Open Badminton

MANILA, Philippines - Ipinagpatuloy ni Mark Shelly Alcala ang kanyang ratsada patungo sa pagkopo sa Smart National Open Badminton Tournament men’s open title laban kay national player Michael Kevin Cudiamat sa Powersmash Badminton Center sa Makati City.

Sinimulan ni Alcala ang kanyang pananalasa nang talunin si heavy-favorite national player Antonino Tobi Gadi sa quarterfinals bago isinunod si national junior standout Ross Lee­nard Pedrosa sa semifinals patungo sa finals.

Tinalo ng 15-anyos na si Alcala si Cudiamat sa finals, 21-17, 17-21, 21-14, para angkinin ang titulo at ang P100,000 cash prize ng torneong suportado ng MVP Sports Foundation, PBA, Smart Live More, Sun Cellular, Smash Philippines, Babolat at Fourth Right event.

Ang national tournament, itinataguyod ni Smart Telecommunication’s Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan at may basbas ng Philippine Badminton Association (PBA), ay nilahukan ng halos 500 players nationwide.

Samantala, binigo ni Chinese badminton coach Lili Wang si national junior player Sarah Joy Barredo, 21-10, 15-21, 21-17, para kunin ang women’s open title at ang P100,000 cash prize.

Sa men’s doubles open championship, pinayukod nina Peter Gabriel Magnaye at Paul Jefferson Vivas ang kapwa national players  na sina Philip Jofer Escueta at Ronel Esta­nislao, 22-2, 21-13, para ibulsa ang P120,000 cash prize at trophy.

Ginapi nina Malvinne Venice “Poca” Alcala at partner Gelita Castilo sina Aires Amor Montilla at Kristelle Dawn Salatan, 21-18, 21-17, para sa wo­men’s open doubles division at ang P120,000cash prize.

Dinaig nina Ronel Estanislao at Joella Geva De Vera sina Philip Joper Escueta at Eleanor Christine Inlayo, 21-17, 18-21, 21-17, para sa mixed doubles open title at P120,000 cash prized.