Alcala bags second title in opening leg of PBaRS circuit

Thirteen-year old Mark Alcala validated his claim as the next badminton superstar, clinching two titles in two different divisions of the MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) circuit after trashing third-seed Jose Kenneth Monterubio, 21-18, 21-19, to pocket the boys’ U-19 title Wednesday at the Metro Sports Center in Lahug, Cebu City.

Earlier, Alcala disposed second-seed Patrick Gecosala, 21-12, 21-11, for the U-15 plum to match the two titles netted by Bianca Carlos, who took the Women’s Open and U-19 singles crowns, in the event sponsored by Goal Pilipinas and put up by the Philippine Badminton Association headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and secretary-general Albee Benitez.

Dishing off a superb all-around game, Alcala outworked his fellow national team mainstay in their exciting duel that lasted 47 minutes, adding the crown to his U-15 title he won for the fifth straight time and the four legs he swept in last year’s inaugural staging of the event.

Meanwhile, Toby Gadi dominated the Men’s Open singles for his fifth straight crown in the event supported by official equipment sponsor Victor, exclusively distributed by PCOME Industrial Sales, Inc.

Joper Escueta and Peter Gabriel Magnaye also toppled the top-seeded pair of Ronel Estanislao and Paul Vivas, 21-11, 21-19, to bag the Open men’s doubles title, while Gelita Castilo and Dia Magno turned back Jen Cayetano and Kim Mayono, 13-21, 21-19, 21-17, to cop the women’s Open doubles crown.

Gregg Paz and Cayetano, meanwhile, repulsed Gabriel Villanueva and Deska Calimlim, 13-21, 21-18, 21-18, to win the Open mixed doubles plum.

Other winners in the event, backed by Gatorade, Krav Maga Phils., Sincere Construction and Development Corp., Vineza Industrial Sales, TV5 and Badminton Extreme Magazine, were Castilo-Magno (U-19 girls’ doubles); Carlos Cayanan-Gerald Sibayan (U-19 boys doubles); JC Clarito-Kristelle Salatan (U-19 mixed doubles); Jessie Francisco-Eleanor Inlayo (U-15 girls doubles); Fides Bagasbas-Emilio Mangubat Jr. (U-15 boys doubles); and Joaquin Deato-Inlayo (U-15 mixed doubles).

The second leg will be played on Oct. 27 to 31 in Manila, while Cagayan de Oro will host the final stage on Nov. 30 to Dec. 4.

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