Escueta whips Vivas for plum

MANILA, Philippines - Second seed Philip Escueta outduelled fellow national team mainstay and top seed Paul Vivas and pounded out a 21-17, 21-18 victory to capture the U-19 boys’ crown in the Ming Ramos Youth Cup Victor Age Group Badminton Championships 2009 at Rizal Memorial Complex badminton hall yesterday.

Escueta, the Whackers BA spearhead who repulsed No. 3 Ariel Magnaye in the semis, 21-17, 21-10, sustained his form in the finals, seizing control with his winners and solid defense to topple the Allied-Victor PCOME standout for the crown in the premier division.

Fourth seed Jose Martinez, also of Whackers BA, edged teammate Kevin Cudiamat, 21-14, 22-20, to rule the U-17 division of the event sponsored by Victor PCOME and organized by the Philippine Badminton Association in honor of its president former first lady Amelita “Ming” Ramos.

Former President Fidel Ramos, PSC chairman Amb. Harry Angping, PBA executive vice president PDG Edgar Aglipay, PBA sec-gen PCSUPT George Piano, Alexander Villamanca, president/CEO of Victor PCOME and Conrado Co of Victor-Allied Badminton Club graced the awards rites. No. 2 Anton Cayanan of Allied-Victor PCOME outplayed Joshua Monterubio of JLTC/Flypower/Battledore, 21-19, 21-15, to bag the U-15 diadem while fourth ranked Vinci Manuel of Battledore upset teammate No. 2 Alvin Morada, 20-22, 21-14, 21-19, to cop the U-13 title.

Top seed Markie Alcala of Allied-Victor PCOME lived up to his billing as he beat John Bernardo of MSI JRS team, 21-12, 21-16, for the U-11 plum in the three-day event, which drew over 300 players from various clubs in the country.