Negros Oriental wins Dia De La Hispanidad badminton

Visiting teams Negros Oriental stunned defending champion Casino Español in the friendly "Dia De La Hispanidad" 2006 Badminton Tournament, Friday at the Casino Español badminton court.

Team Negros Oriental was composed of members of badminton clubs from Bais, Tanjay and Dumaguete. This year the competiton only have men's doubles category.

Ferdie Ludo and Ellen of Cebu defeated Juancho Tevez and Butch Valdivia of Team Negros in the opening match, 15-3, 15-2 while Cebu's John Sy and Nikko followed with a victory over Wu Butch Lopez and Martin Tevez, 14-7, 17-15.

But Charles Co and Ato Alvarez of Cebu was thrashed by the towering team up of Yoldi brothers, Tichu and Paolo of Team Negros, 9-15, 7-15.

Cebu bounced back with Turtle Tolentino and Gina Juan beating Lito Garcia and Caloy Tevez 15-0, 15-9.

But Negros Oriental tied the count at 3-all with Mani Ortiz and Pagui Yoldi surviving a 16-17, 15-8, 17-14, game over Jordan Tanco and Titi Tan of Cebu.

It was in the fourth and fifth matches that Negros Oriental took matters in their hands with Greg Villegas and Lucuy Villegas winning over Louie Moro and Oliver Ko of Cebu, 15-12, 15-13 and Mito Yoldi and Ramil Cortiz drubbing Martin Montenegro and Gino Salvador, 15-7, 15-4.

The event was made successful with the coordination of Ato Alvarez, who is the president of the Casino Español Badminton Club, Louie Moro and Lito Garcia of the Bais, Tanjay and Dumaguete badminton clubs.

Casino Español Badminton Club committee members were Martin Montenegro, Gina Huang, Oliver Ko and Ellen Guinocor.

Bais Badminton Club committee members, on the other hand, were Martin Teves, who is the incoming president, Caloy Teves, Butch Lopez, Butch Valdivia, Ramil Cortiz and Greg Villegas while the Dumaguete committee members were Jaimito Yoldi (president), Santicho, Paulo and Paque Yoldi, Leekoy Villegas, Mano Ortiz and Juancho Tevez.

The teams thanked Power Max Energy Drink, which is the major sponsor of the event. - Marigold P. Lebumfacil