STAR, Meralco seal title clash in JVC Open

The Philippine STAR got back at AB Leisure with a masterful 2-1 victory yesterday to arrange a showdown with Meralco for the corporate crown of the 2005 JVC Open Badminton Championships, which entered its final week at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City yesterday.

Analyn Delgado and Dalia Santiago set the tone of the STAR win by blanking Loida Tiangco and Pauline Santiago, 15-0, 15-0, in the ladies doubles before the tandem of Chester Cordero and Rodolfo Gutierrez beat AB Leisure’s Albee Benitez and Ricky Morales, 15-10, 15-2, to clinch the victory that avenged the STARmen loss to the same squad in last year’s final.

With the match in the bag, the mixed doubles pair of Jopet Sison and Melody Villaceran bowed to Brandon Chua and Elaine Lao, 12-15, 9-15.

Meralco ripped PLDT, 3-0, to claim the other finals berth. The STAR and Meralco dispute the top P50,000 purse on Sunday.

Earlier, top officials of the sponsoring JVC (PHILS.), Inc., led by its president Hideyuki Takato and general manager Kazue Salud, welcomed the survivors of the grueling eliminations held at PowerSmash last week while assuring the big crowd of top-notch badminton action in the next six days.

"JVC’s mission isn’t only to provide unique, high-quality products in the field of entertainment but also through social, cultural and sports development. And for the past four years, JVC has continued its support to badminton with full motivation and determination to fulfill the company’s commitment," said Takato during elaborate rites kicking off the final week of the event, which also features the elite masters division as well as the elite, juniors, veterans and corporate categories plus a celebrity tournament.