Gadi, Vivas seal PBaRS title clash

MANILA, Philippines - Antonino Gadi held off Peter Magnaye in the opening set then stamped his class in the next to complete a 21-18, 21-6 victory yesterday and move within a victory of retaining the Open men’s singles crown in the MVP Sports Foundation-Bingo Bonanza Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) tournament at the Pohang Badminton Courts in Bacolod.

Gadi, who beat Golden Shuttle Foundation teammate Patrick Natividad to rule the premier class of the event’s inaugural staging last March, unleashed a variety of shots to baffle Magnaye in their Final Four showdown and fashion out his fourth straight-set victory in a row.

The top-seeded bet, however, expects a tougher challenge from Paul Vivas of Phl/Victory, who thwarted Natividad tormentor Kevin Dalisay, 17-21, 21-14, 21-12, in their own side of the semis duel in the ranking tournament sponsored by Vice President Jejomar Binay, Rep. Albee Benitez and businessman-sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan and official equipment sponsor Victor, exclusively distributed by PCOME Industrial Sales, Inc. in the country.

After dethroning last year’s champion Bianca Carlos in straight sets in the Last 8 Thursday, Malvinne Alcala also took a step closer to pocketing the Open ladies singles plum as she blasted Danica Bolos, 21-11, 21-9, in the semis.

Second seed Gelita Castilo likewise posted a 21-5, 21-6 romp over Pauline Ramos to arrange a title clash with Alcala, the reigning Singapore and Australian Juniors champion, in the event backed by PLDT-Smart Foundation, Gatorade and Powersmash with The Philippine STAR, TV5, Badminton Extreme Philippines Magazine, Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT and 103.5 WOW! as media partners.

Joper Escueta, meanwhile, stayed on course of his title-retention bid in the Under-19 boys category, beating JC Clarito, 21-16, 21-13. He faces fellow Phl/Victor mainstay Kenneth Monterubio, who outplayed first leg runner-up Wilbert Natividad, 21-13, 21-11.

Carlos also moved closer to retaining her U-19 girls plum as she downed Cassandra Lim, 21-14, 21-10, to set up a championship duel with Ana Patricia Barredo, who repulsed Flo Lamigo, 21-9, 15-21, 21-17.

Markie Alcala and Alvin Morada forged a rematch for the U-15 boys crown as they defeated their respective rivals in straight-set fashions. Alcala foiled Glenn Lopez, 21-9, 21-11, while Morada turned back AJ Manlalangit, 21-13, 21-17.