Flashing superb forms, defending champion Malvinne Ann Alcala and brother Markie scored a string of wins to move within a victory of ruling their respective divisions in the Li Ning Singapore Youth International Series 2011 in Singapore over the weekend.
The top-seeded Malvinne swept local bet Seah Jin Feng Fiona, 21-15, 21-12, Indonesian Ersalita Lya, 21-15, 21-8, Liang Xiaoyu of Singapore, 21-12, 21-18, and Fitriani, also of Indonesia, 21-19, 21-15.
The successive victories sent Malvinne to a finals duel with Indonesian Florensia Setyana Daniella for the girls’ Under-17 singles crown.
Showing his immense potential, the 13-year-old Markie carried the momentum of his four-title haul in the Philippine Badminton Ranking System circuit with victories over Indonesian Virgyanda Yufi, 21-19, 21-7, Malay-sian Lye Jun Cheng, 21-10, 21-13, Singaporean Fung Mason, 21-5, 21-15, Thai Nipornram Pacharapol, 21-11, 21-12, and Alisianol Ronaldo Indra, also of Indonesia, 21-9, 21-14.
Standing in the way of the younger Alcala in the boys’ 13-Under division is Malaysian Sim Fong Hau.
Daniella pulled off a 21-15, 21-13 upset over No. 5 Suwanakijboriharn Sarita of Thailand in the second round.
The Philippines is actually on track to snaring three titles in the tournament with the boys’ doubles pair of Joper Escueta and Gerard Sibayan seeking a finals berth against the Chinese Taipei tandem of Tsai Chai-yu and Wang Hsing-wen.