Barredo, Castilo arrange final duel

Second seed Sarah Joy Barredo of Smash Pilipinas and Gelita Castilo of Allied Victor blasted their respective semifinals opponents yesterday to arrange a championship showdown in the women’s singles of the P1.5 million Bingo Bonanza National Open badminton tournament at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Center.

The 15-year-old Barredo, who shocked top favorite Malvinne Alcala in the quarterfinals, put away Mary Ann Maranon of Allied Victor, 21-11, 21-18, in a thrilling match witnessed by top Philippine Badminton Association officials led by secretary general Rep. Albee Benitez.

Out to spoil Barredo’s bid for a Cinderella finish is the 20-year-old veteran Castilo who ousted third seed Pauline Tan, 21-10, 21-8.

Barredo and Castilo clash for the title at 1 p.m. today.

In men’s singles, No. 5 pick and Smash Pilipinas’ R-Jay Ormilla downed Kevin Dalisay, 21-19, 22-20 to set up a championship duel with Allied Victor top bet Mark Alcala, who drubbed Kenneth Monterubio, 21-13, 21-15, in men’s singles.

Castilo will also be gunning for the title in the women’s doubles with Alcala after they brought down the top-seeded pair of Jessie Francis and Eleanor Christine Inlayo of Smash Pilipinas, 21-16, 21-9.

In mixed doubles, Smash’s Peter Gabriel Magnaye and Jessie Francisco stopped PH shuttlers Alvin Morada and Alyssa Ysabel Leonardo, 16-21, 21-14, 21-17, to advance to the finals.

Magnaye and Francisco will next take on teammates Paul Jefferson Vivas and Eleanor Christian Inlayo, who slammed Aries delos Santos and Aries Amor Montilla, 21-16, 21-19, in the other semifinal.