Escueta fires off two-title drive with twin victories

BACOLOD CITY —Joper Escueta kicked off his title drive in two divisions with a pair of straight-set victories in the MVP Sports Foundation-Bingo Bonanza Philippine Badminton Ranking System () tournament yesterday at the Pohang Badminton Courts in Bacolod City.

Escueta, seeking a second straight championship in the Under-19 category, toppled UP-Diliman’s Gio Fajardo, 21-7, 21-1, to lead the charge of the fancied bets in the early going of the tournament serving as the second leg of a four-stage nationwide circuit.

Earlier, Escueta, one of the national team members who saw action in last week’s Sudirman Cup, trounced Allied-Victor’s Joshua Monterubio, 21-9, 21-11, to launch his campaign in the Open division.

Markie Alcala, the U-15 singles champion, turned back Golden Shuttle Foundation’s Miguel Ramos, 21-11, 21-15, to open his bid in the U-19 class of the P1 million event, a project of Vice President Jejomar Binay, Rep. Albee Benitez and businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan.

Also in the U-19 men’s singles,  Paul Malata of Iloilo Valiant Badminton Club defeated Joseph Lopez, 21-14, 19-21, 21-14; Clarence Filart of GSF downed Adrian Esclabanan, 21-12, 21-5; while Miguel Leonardo of JLTC/Flypowerbeat Luigi Herida, 21-7, 21-9.

Kevin Cudiamat of PH Team/Victor topped Theodore Co, 21-9, 21-9; Paolo Infante of WWGBA held off Lance Osorio, 21-10, 21-11; Christian Sison of Whackers defeated Alexander Maganis, 21-15, 21-10; while Gerard Sibayan of PH Team/Victor outplayed Christian Uy, 21-9, 21-7.

Josh Escubio of IVBC, meanwhile, won over Raphael Deato, 21-19, 21-7;  Robert Aloyan of Jaguar Badminton Academy turned back Gerard Calbario, 21-17, 21-14; while JC Clarito and Jose Martinez of La Salle saw off Jeff Monton, 21-9, 21-8, and John Medina, 21-10, 21-13, respectively.

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