Alcala, Wang rule Smart Badminton Open

MANILA, Philippines - Fifteen-year-old Mark Shelly Alcala sustained his giant-killing ways all-throughout the tournament to capture the Smart National Open Badminton Tournament men’s open title recently against national player Michael Kevin Cudiamat, 21-17, 17-21, 21-14, at the Powersmash Badminton Center in Makati.

Alcala, 15,  disposed of Cudiamat in finals, to bag the title and the P100,000 cash prize of the tournament supported by the MVP Sports Foundation, PBA, Smart Live More, Sun Cellular, Smash Philippines, Babolat and powered by Fourth Right event.

The national tournament, sponsored by Smart Telecommunication’s Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association (PBA), was participated in by more than 500 players nationwide .

Chinese badminton coach Lili Wang, meanwhile, defeated national junior player Sarah Joy Barredo, 21-10, 15-21, 21-17, to claim the women’s open title and the P100,000 top prize.  

In men’s doubles, Peter Gabriel Magnaye and Paul Jefferson Vivas outplayed fellow national players Philip Jofer Escueta and Ronel Estanislao, 22-2, 21-13, to take home the P120,000 cash.  

Malvinne Venice “Poca” Alcala and partner Gelita Castilo beat Aires Amor Montilla and Kristelle Dawn Salatan, 21-18, 21-17, to win the women’s doubles worth P120,000.

Ronel Estanislao and Joella Geva De Vera teamed up impressively to outclass Philip Joper Escueta and Eleanor Christine Inlayo, 21-17, 18-21, 21-17, for the mixed doubles worth  P120,000.