Malvinne Alcala, Bianca Carlos forge double crown duels

MANILA, Philippines – Malvinne Ann Alcala ripped Gelita Castilo, 21-16, 21-9, to forge a title showdown against Bianca Carlos in the VP Binay Grand Prix Badminton Open Championships-PBaRS fourth leg at the Philsports Arena in Pasig Friday.

Alcala was tested a bit in the first set, but the second leg winner of the national ranking circuit flexed her muscles to seal the deal easily in the next set to keep pace for her second straight crown in the P1 million tournament presented by MVP Sports Foundation and Robinsons Land.

Carlos, on the other hand, bucked a 9-11 deficit in the early going and clipped Reyne Calimlim, 21-16, 21-10, to likewise earn another shot for a title after topping the kickoff leg of the four-leg circuit sponsored by PLDT Smart Foundation, Robinsons Mall, Gatorade and official equipment sponsor Victor, exclusively distributed by PCOME Industrial Sales, Inc.

Alcala and Carlos dispute the ladies Open singles crown and the top P70,000 purse starting at 9 a.m. today in the first of two title clashes between two of the country’s leading players.

The two will also clash for the Under-19 girls’ singles after Alcala subdued No. 2 Elisha Ongcuangco, 21-4, 21-8, and Carlos disposed of Abigail Garcia, 21-11, 21-12, in the semifinals.

In men’s play, top seed Toby Gadi outlasted Joper Escueta in one hour and 17 minutes for a 21-11, 16-21, 21-19 victory.

Gadi, who beat Patrick Natividad in the first leg and Paul Vivas in the next two, will dispute the crown with third seed Gabriel Magnaye, who held off Ian Mendez, 21-17, 21-17.