STAR, SM-Powerade duel for Corporate Cup jewel

Philippine STAR and San Miguel-Powerade barged into the masters finals of the 2005 Sportshouse Corporate Cup Invitational Badminton tournament after posting contrasting wins in the crossover semifinals Friday night at the SM Megamall.

Philippine STAR, which topped Group 1 with a 3-0 win-loss record, demolished 105.1 Crossover-Alabang Country Club, 5-0.

STAR Group president and chief executive officer Miguel Belmonte and partner Brandon Chan defeated Nonoy Campos and Fisher chua in the men’s doubles, 15-9, 15-7, at the forefront of the STAR’s five-win conquest of 105.1 Crossover-ACC.

Analyn Delgado and Maan Leynes downed Ui Mendoza and Mariel Tiangco, 15-11, 15-8, in the first ladies doubles, Rodolfo Gutierrez and Alex Cuevas rallied past Paul Martinez and JV Madrid in the first men’s doubles, 15-3, 13-15, 15-7, Jona Magnaye and Marife Durana outplayed Francesca Lee and Thea Cordero in the second ladies doubles, 17-15, 15-8. Melody Villaceran and Rodil Sertan beat John Campos and Casey Ang-Siy in the mixed doubles, 15-7, 15-9.

Powerade’s first ladies and men’s doubles players survived their tough opponents as the team escaped with a 3-2 victory over Advance Solutions, Inc.

Marga Tan and Raquel Uy lost the first set to Kat Anasco and Lyka Leonor, 10-15, but took the next two sets to prevail, 17-15, 15-5, while Malvin Alcala and Rocky Magnaye also fought back from a first-set loss to conquer Nonoy Aguilar and Winnie Albo, 16-17, 15-12, 15-9.

Powerade, which booked a championship ticket after Judy Lim and Liza Martinez won their second ladies singles match over Mia Legaspi and Angel Yu, 15-7, 15-5, did not play the remaining two matches.

In the second Mars Cup all-trainers event, defending singles champion Edward Namoco of Manila Polo Club rallied past Jonathan de Vera of Quezon City Sports Club, 1015, 15-3, 17-16, to advance in the finals against teammate Ruel Inciong, who scored a 15-7, 15-9 victory over Erwin Santos of Powersmash.

In the men’s doubles, Santos and Junior Chua of Powersmash ousted defending champions Abay Santiago and Randy Mariquit of Club 650, 15-7, 15-8, to arrange a title showdown with The Zone’s Jonathan and Rommel Parone, 15-13, 15-11 winners over Namoco and Inciong.