FDG Cup: Alcala-Krisnan stuns Gadi-Castilo

NATIONAL team mainstay Malvinne Ann Alcala and Malaysian partner Yogendran Krisnan pulled off a 21-16, 21-19 win over Toby Gadi and Gelita Castilo to crash into the Last 16 of the Open mixed doubles of the FDG Cup Open and Invitational Badminton Championships at Powersmash in Makati yesterday.

The 16-year-old Alcala, coming off a win in last week’s Swiss International Juniors 19-under division, and Krisnan posted the win  over the top-seeded Ateneo pair in 25 minutes.
The winner will pocket P120,000  in the event held in honor of Robinsons Land Corp. president Frederick D. Go.

Alcala and Krisnan were chasing one of the quarterfinals berths at press time against John Greg Paz and Jen Cayetano, who scored a walkover win over John Aguila and Ma. Kristine Gaspar.

Bianca Carlos and Indonesian I Komang Wijaya also hacked out a 21-15, 23-21 triumph over Alvin Morada and Marina Caculitan while Paul Vivas and Indon Lili Wang routed JC Clarito and Jovally Cabanero, 21-12, 21-9, to advance to the second round.

Meanwhile, Alcala and Wang teamed up in the Open women’s doubles to beat Mona Santoso and Jubie Vallarta, 21-13, 21-16, and set up a second round duel with second seed Jen Cayetano and Kim Mayono in the event backed by HCG 80, Davies Paints, Supreme Steel Pipe Corp. and Sycwin Wires and Cables.