Barredo, Alcala seek repeat in FDG Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Sarah Barredo and Mark Alcala set out as the top picks in their respective sides but face a tougher challenge in their back-to-back title drive in the FDG Cup Badminton Championships, which gets going June 9 at Power Smash Badminton Center in Makati.

Barredo swept Gelita Castilo to capture the women’s Open singles crown last year but the power-hitting ace braces for a fierce battle against a crack roster of veteran and young challengers, including fellow PBA Smash Pilipinas mainstays No. 2 Airah Albo and third seed Mariya Sevilla and No. 4 Monica Rivera of La Salle/ABR.

Malvinne Alcala, the country’s former No. 1, and former national champion Bianca Carlos are also in the fold, both raring to prove their worth in the centerpiece division of the annual tournament held in honor of Robinsons Land Corp. president Frederick D. Go and sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association.

A down-to-the-wire finish is also seen in the men’s Open category with Mark Alcala hard-pressed to score a repeat of his romp over R-Jay Ormilla last year against a full-packed 64-player field that includes fellow national pool stalwarts second seed Kevin Cudiamat, No. 3 Ros Pedrosa, fourth ranked Kenneth Monterubio, No. 5 Ormilla and sixth seed Frell Gabuelo.