DCDC badminton tourney semis, finals on at Smashzone

Sizzling action in the 1st Data Center Design Corp. (DCDC) badminton tournament culminates today at the Smashzone Badminton Center, Las Piñas City, as teams that figure in the winners’ bracket square off for a bid at the championship.

The tournament semifinals fires off at 9am today, with teams that survived the elimination rounds clashing in sudden-death playoffs.

Thus far, the two companies that remain unbeaten in the field are The Philippine STAR and Green Park Badminton Center, which are fancied to beat their rivals in their respective divisions en route to a crack at the championship.

The STAR team is powered by players Chester Cordero, Dodie Gutierrez, company president/CEO Miguel Belmonte, Ogie Trias, Anna Filamor, Tina Poblador, Jen Salubayba and Dahlia Saguid. Greenpark Badminton Center, on the other hand, fielded ace trainers Paolo Tolentino, Mike Raper, Percy Barrios, France Camba, and the sister act of Sheryl and Sarah Caraig.

Before it could gain a finals berth, Green Park is expected to face PLDT-A in a grudge match and encounter rough sailing anew in the hands of PLDT veterans Bedicto Portugal, Boy Mirasol, Wilfredo Daza, Farida de Leon, Reynalita Cano and Rosalia Cautivo. In their first duel held last weekend, Greenpark beat PLDT-A, 2-1, needing three sets in the mixed doubles event to dominate their square-off.

The champion team stands to win P20,000 in cash and a plaque.

"We designed this tournament with the intention of promoting the sport and building camaraderie among our cherished clients, whom we value and consider as our friends," DCDC vice-chairman and tournament head Ted Ignacio said.

Participating teams in the first-ever DCDC Corporate Badminton Tournament include Allied Banking Corp., United Overseas Bank, Pag-IBIG Fund, Alan Dick Corp., Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC), CBN Asia, Merck Sharp & Dohme Philippines, Phil. Sports Commission, Alcatel, Philippine National Bank, Data Design Center Corp., The Philippine STAR, Eco National Philippines, Greenpark Badminton Center, SPI Technologies, PLDT, Goodyear, Aboitiz, Celestron Cable TV, and Globe Telecom.