Alcala reaches Italian junior b'minton final

MANILA, Philippines - Malvinne Ann Alcala gained another crack at a junior international badminton crown as she rallied to beat Isabella Nielsen of Denmark in three and reach the finals of the II Italian Junior Badminton International in Milano, Italy last Sunday.

Alcala, who fell short of her title bid in the German Juniors International 2012 when she bowed to Korean ace Jang Mi Lee in Berlin last month, came back strong in the second set then sustained her form in the decider to pull off a 20-22, 21-11, 21-14 victory in 45 minutes.

The second seed Filipina, back-to-back winner of the Singapore Youth International, goes for the crown against top seed Anna Thea Madsen, also of Denmark, late Sunday at Pala Badminton Arena.

Alcala, a two-leg winner in last year’s PBaRS (Philippine Badminton Ranking System) four-stage circuit, drew a bye in the opening round then trounced Russia’s Natalia Rogova, 21-14, 21-14, in 20 minutes in the Last 32 phase.

She was dragged to another three-setter by Sara Ortvang, also of Denmark, but still prevailed, 21-19 19-21 21-16 in 52 minutes, to reach the quarters.

Alcala, whose international campaign is sanctioned and sponsored by the Philippine Badminton Association, headed by Vice President and PBA president Jejomar Binay, PBA chair Manny V. Pangilinan and PBA sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez, primed up against Nielsen by beating Dane Anna Klinke, 21-10, 21-16, in 25 minutes.