Carlos upends Alcala, gains PBaRS finals

MANILA, Philippines - Bianca Carlos got back at Malvinne Ann Alcala in big fashion, scoring a 21-15, 22-20 victory in a duel of the country’s top Under-19 players to move a win away from retaining the crown in the MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) tournament at Robinsons Place Manila yesterday.

Carlos, swept by Alcala in their previous faceoffs in the MVPSF-PBaRS Bacolod and Manila legs of the nationwide circuit, displayed the form that won her the MVP and top rookie honors in this year’s UAAP for Ateneo, imposing her will in the opener and holding off her fancied rival in a thrilling second set battle to complete the victory.

“I really prepared for this one, mentally and physically. But I didn’t put pressure on myself. I just stayed focused and just played my game,” said Carlos, also the defending champion in women’s Open singles.

Second seed Patrisha Malibiran survived the upset bid of No. 4 Janelle de Vera, 13-21, 21-11, 25-23, to arrange an all Golden Shuttle Foundation mainstays showdown for the U-19 singles crown in the event sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay with sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan as chairman and Rep. Albee Benitez as sec-gen.

No. 6 Mark Shelley Alcala of Team Phl, meanwhile, toppled third seed Glenn Remo with an impressive 21-15, 21-15 win to seal a title duel with top seed Clarence Filart in the boys’ U-19 singles. Filart, also of GSF, thwarted No. 4 Joshua Monterubio.

Top seed Alyssa Geverjuan continued to live up to the hype as she swept past Shane Salvador, 21-14, 21-8, to reach the girls’ U-15 singles finals against No. 2 Mariya Sevilla, who dominated Aldreen Concepcion, 21-11, 21-8.

Unranked Joaquin Pangilinan, also of Team Phl, stunned No. 4 Daniel Pantanosas, 16-21, 21-10, 21-17, to barge into the finals of the boys’ U-15 singles of the event backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission, the PBA and official equipment sponsor Victor, exclusively distributed in the country by PCOME Industrial Sales, Inc.

Semifinal matches in the centerpiece Open division are still being played at presstime with Carlos going up for a berth in the championship in women’s singles against Mary Ann Maranon and Malvinne Alcala taking on No. 2 Gelita Castilo in the other explosive duel.

Mark Alcala is eyeing a spot in the finals of the men’s singles against second seed Paul Vivas while defending champion Toby Gadi and third seed Peter Magnaye are disputing the other final seat.