MANILA, Philippines – Ginapi ng Philippine STAR ang Manila Police District Team A, 3-0 upang ibulsa ang korona ng 2nd National Press Club (NPC) Media Invitational Badminton championship nitong weekend sa Rizal Memorial Badminton Center.
Binigyang buhay ng tambalang Rodolfo Gutierrez at Melody Villaceran ang kampanya ng PhilSTAR shuttlers matapos na pataubin ang tandem nina Jake de Guzman at Mary Ann Santiago sa straight set, 21-13, 21-15 sa mixed doubles event.
Ibinigay naman nina Edison Cupcupin at Syl Cosico ang 2-0 pangunguna sa PhilSTAR sa men’s doubles match, habang nanalo naman ang pares nina Jhona Magnaye at Analyn Delgado via walkover laban kina Kessa Rose Ramirez at Zony Esguerra sa women’s doubles.
Winalis rin ng undefeated PhilStar players ang individual honors sa team event sa kompetisyong ito na inorganisa ng National Press Club at suportado ng Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusement Board chairman Eric Buhain, Philippine Anti-Smuggling Group, Philippine Charity Sweeptakes Office, Unilever Philippines, Philippine Badminton Association chief executive officer Errol Chan, Yonex at Magnolia health drinks.
Samantala, nakopo ng Manila Police District Team B ang third place matapos na masilat ang Pilipino Star Ngayon, 2-1.
Iginawad ni NPC President Benny Antiporda at PBA second vice president Joey San Andres ang cash prizes, trophies at gift packs sa mga nanalo na kinabibilangan nina individual runner-up Radley de Mateo at Mary Ann Santiago ng MPD-Team A (mixed), Arjay Santos at RJ Arcibal ng MPD-Team B (men) at Malot Millora at Ansyn Santos (women).
Labing walong koponan mula sa tri-media organization at publication ang lumahok sa nasabing tournament kung saan inihayag rin ni Antiporda sa awarding ceremony na ang nasabing event na quarterly ng idaraos ngayong taon.