Alcalas cruise to Youth International finals

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Malvinne Ann Alcala and brother Markie posted a series of straight-set victories to reach the finals in the Li Ning Singapore Youth International Series 2011 in Singapore last weekend.

The top-seeded Malvinne swept local bet Seah Jin Feng Fiona, 21-15, 21-12, Indonesian Ersalita Lya, 21-15, 21-8, Liang Xiaoyu of Singapore, 21-12, 21-18, and Fitriani, also of Indonesia, 21-19, 21-15, to reach the final against another Indonesian Florensia Setyana Daniella for the girls’ U-17 singles title.

Daniella also scored a sweep, including a 21-15, 21-13 reversal over No. 5 Suwanakijboriharn Sarita of Thailand in the second round, to get a crack at the crown against the top 16-year-old Filipina, whose campaign is sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association.

Thirteen-year-old Markie, who swept the four-leg series of this year’s PBaRS (Philippine Badminton Ranking System) circuit, dominated Indonesian Virgyanda Yufi, 21-19, 21-7, Malaysian lye jun Cheng, 21-10, 21-13, Singaporean Fung Mason, 21-5, 21-15, Thai Nipornram Pacharapol, 21-11, 21-12, and Alisianol Ronaldo Indra, also of Indonesia, 21-9, 21-14, to set up a clash with Malaysian Sim Fong Hau for the boys’ U-13 title.

The boys’ doubles pair of Joper Escueta and Gerard Sibayan, meanwhile, are seeking a berth in the finals against the Chinese Taipei tandem of Tsai Chai Yu and Wang Hsing Wen at presstime.