Alcala shines in Singapore badminton tilt

MANILA, Philippines - Mark Alcala romped away with the first Li-Ning Youth International badminton crown, besting his more fancied rivals, including Indonesia’s Ali Auliansyah, 21-19, 21-16, in the finals of the 11-under boys’ division in Singapore recently.

Dishing out awesome form, Alcala upended top contender Joverian Mahesa, also of Indonesia, in three sets in the round of 16 then cruised to victories over local bets Chen Rhui Sheng and Ong Zi Jian to arrange a title showdown with Auliansyah.

“He played a superb game and with confidence. He knew he can beat this kids,” said team manager and coach Conrado Co, also the man at the helm of the Philippine Badminton Association youth development program under president and former First Lady Amelita “Ming” Ramos.

Roberto Pineda and Ethan Malelang also teamed to earn a bronze medal in the 15-under boys’ doubles of the event, which drew participants from Chinese-Taipei, Hongkong China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Alcala and partner Keeyan Gabuelo also reached the quarterfinal round of the 13-under boys doubles while Ming Ramos Youth Cup champion Malvinne Alcala also fell short of her bid in the 15-under girls singles, reaching the quarters phase.

Others who made it to the Last 8 were Gelita Castilo, another Ramos Youth Cup winner, in the 17-under girls’ singles, the Alcala-Castilo tandem in the 17-under girls doubles and the Paul Vivas and Peter Magnaye pair in the 19-under boys doubles.

With one victory and a bronze medal finish in the event, Team Philippines, which gained a top 10 ranking in the world juniors in Malaysia early in the year, showed it can be at par with the world’s best, underscoring the steady rise of junior badminton in the country.