Alcala, universities, clubs join Prima badminton meet

MANILA, Philippines - Rising young star Malvinne “Poca” Alcala leads the cast of participants in the 2011 Prima Pasta Invitational Badminton Open slated Feb. 5-6, 12-13 at the Powersmash on Pasong Tamo, Makati.

Alcala, 15, the country’s No. 1 woman player, confirmed her participation in the week-long event supported by Prima Pasta, Boysen Paints, RFM, Mabz Builders, Pioneer Life, Prince, ILO Construction, Monolith Construction, Promax Intl., Carlton and Amstar.

Besides Alcala, national player Joper Escueta will also join in the tournament together with top players from Ateneo, University of the Philippines, La Salle, University of the East, National U, Allied-Victor and the national badminton team.

Alcala, last year’s women’s Open champion with partner Gelita Castilo, hasn’t confirmed who will be her new partner in the women’s Open, while Escueta will compete in the men’s doubles Open with Ian Piencenaves.

The events are men’s doubles, ladies doubles, mixed doubles, and junior singles age bracket (boys and girls).

The deadline for submission of entries for the mixed doubles and junior events is Feb. 5.  

Tournament directors are Rene Reyes and Jessie Alonzo.