Alcalas bag Singapore Youth international crowns

MANILA, Philippines - Malvinne Ann Alcala re-stamped her class against a tough foreign field while brother Markie enhanced a promising badminton career as they ruled their respective divisions in the Li Ning Singapore Youth International Series 2011 at the Singapore Badminton Hall in Singapore last Sunday.

Malvinne survived a grueling first set duel then hung tough to frustrate Indonesian Florensia Setyana Daniella, 22-20, 21-17, and retain the girls’ Under-17 singles crown in the annual event, which featured the region’s leading and upcoming junior players.

The victory capped Alcala’s dominating performance in the week-long tournament and another banner season that saw her win two Open singles titles in the PBaRS (Philippine Badminton Ranking System) circuit.

The 16-year-old spearhead of Victor Phl team also scored a grand slam in the Ming Ramos Cup Victor Philippine Open where she won the singles, doubles (with Fatima Cruz) and mixed doubles (with Ronel Estanislao) titles at Club 650 and at PSC Badminton Hall two weeks ago.

Markie, on the other hand, overwhelmed Malaysian Sim Fong Hau in the opening set then held on to complete a 21-11, 21-17 romp for the gold in the boys’ U-13 category.

On his way to the finals, the young Alcala, the Allied/Victor mainstay who swept the four-leg series (U-15 division) in this year’s PBaRS circuit, toppled his rivals in straight-set fashions, firming up his claim as one of the future stars of the sport.

The Alcalas are protégés of former first lady and PBA (Philippine Badminton Association) chairperson Amelita “Ming” Ramos with their victories underscoring the country’s progress in badminton in the regional level with the PBA lining up a series of local and international tournaments in 2012 to sustain the growth of the sport and keep the players busy all year.

Players from MSI Bulacan, Whackers Badminton Academy, Jaime Llanes Training Camp, Escoses Training Camp, Allied-Victor PCome, CDO Badminton Team, Team Prima and the Victor Phl Team also took part in the event which drew players from Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Singapore, Japan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Australia, Kazakhstan and Vietnam.

The Phl contingent, whose campaign was sanctioned by the PBA, headed by Vice President Jojo Binay, was headed by Gen Federico Laciste Jr and assisted by team manager Conrado Co along with head coach Allan de Leon, assistant coaches Malvin Alcala and Arolas Amahit Jr. and team officials and coaches of the participating member clubs.