Young Alcala topples 19-under champ Clarito

Twelve-year-old wonder Marky Shelley Alcala stole the thunder from the senior members of the national team when he toppled boys’ 19-under defending champion JC Clarito, 21-14, 21-18, yesterday to barge into the quarterfinals of the Philippine National Open-Ming Ramos Youth Camp badminton championships at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.

The younger brother of national team stalwart Malvinne Ann Venice Alcala  stunned the 18-year-old Clarito of La Salle with speed and power and advanced against the winner between his former doubles partner Reden Cuden and Mark Magboo.

“He only looks small because his sister is tall, but he’s tall for his age,” said Alcala’s father and coach Malvin. “But now he’s also getting noticed because of his game.”

The 5-foot-4 Alcala was never threatened in the 31-minute match that drew cheers from the crowd in the event sponsored by Victor/PCOME, Bingo Bonanza, Sun Cellular and the PSC.

In the premier men’s open division, six national shuttlers easily reached the quarterfinals led by top seed Paul Jefferson Vivas, who trounced fellow PH team mainstay Kevin Alfred Dalisay, 21-16, 21-13, in 24 minutes.

Vivas will next battle PH teammate Christopher Flores, who recovered from a narrow second set loss to put away Robert Aloyan of Jaguar Badminton Academy, 21-13, 22-24, 21-17.