Barredo bags FDG Cup women’s singles plum

Sarah Joy Barredo bested an ailing Malvinne Alcala in the semifinals, then ripped Gelita Castilo in the finals to bag the women’s Open singles title in the FDG Cup 2015 Open and Invitational Badminton Championships at Robinsons Place Ermita late Sunday.

Barredo posted a 15-21, 21-15, 6-1 (ret.) win over Alcala, who had battled flu-like symptoms Saturday, then dominated Castilo, 21-15, 21-14, to top the centerpiece division in the event held in honor of Robinsons Land Corp. president Frederick D. Go.

Go and former Olympic and world champion Taufik Hidayat forged a 21-23, 21-16 tie against London Olympics silver medalist Mizuki Fujii and Kennevic Asuncion in an exhibition match.

Mark Alcala took the men’s crown with a 21-17, 21-17 victory over R-Jay Ormilla while top seed Philip Escueta and Ronel Estanislao thwarted Peter Magnaye and Paul Vivas, 21-11, 13-21, 21-14, for the men’s doubles crown.

Aires Montilla and Lili Wang pulled off a 21-15, 15-21, 21-12 win over Eleanor Inlayo and Alyssa Leonardo to snare the women’s doubles title. Malaysian Krishnan Yogendran and Castilo stunned Alvin Morada and Leonardo, 19-21, 25-23, 25-23, to snatch the mixed doubles title.