Barredo, Alcala prevail National Open Badminton
Sixteen-year-olds Sarah Barredo and Marky Alcala put the veterans in the shade Sunday in the 2015 Bingo Bonanza National Open Badminton Tournament at Glorietta 5 Atrium in Makati.
Barredo, the No.2 seed, repulsed national teammate Airah Mae Nicole Albo, 15-21, 21-16, 21-6, to claim the women’s singles title that eluded her last year.
Despite reigning supreme in the National Open where the best shuttlers in the land competed, the high school senior from the Philippine Women’s University said she’s not in a hurry to crash the international scene.
Article continues after this advertisement“I still lack the exposure to compete in those kinds of tournaments,” said Barredo, referring to the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and other continental championships.
Alcala bested top seed Kevin Cudiamat, 21-14, 21-17, to clinch the men’s singles crown in just 33 minutes. Like Barredo, he picked up P100,000.
On his way to the title, Alcala eliminated Emilio Mangubat Jr., 21-16, 21-10, Alexis Geverjuan, 21-17, 21-10, Alvin Morada, 21-12, 21-11, in the quarterfinals, and R-Jay Ormilla, 21-17, 21-12, in the Final Four.
The Philippine Badminton Association organized the weeklong tournament with the backing of Bingo Bonanza, official equipment partner Victor and Gatorade, the official sports drink.
Article continues after this advertisement“In time, I will acquire the skills that I need,” said Barredo, daughter of a Philippine Sports Commission employee who honed her talent at Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Barredo showed flashes of her potential when she turned back the fourth-seeded Albo.
After losing the first set, Barredo made strategic adjustments in the next two frames, walloping Albo with crisp smashes and well-placed shots.
“I struggled in the first set because of the lighting on the court, but eventually I got used to it,” said Barredo.
She took the lead early in the deciding set after watching Albo self-destruct.
From a slim 6-5 lead, Barredo pulled away with a variety of smashes, drop shots and well-placed hits that put the outcome beyond doubt.
In the mixed doubles finals, Ronel Estanislao and Indonesian partner Marissa Vita overwhelmed second-seeded Alvin Morada and Alyssa Leonardo with a 21-17, 21-15 win.
