Alcala paces advance of badminton top seeds

FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD Mark Alcala showed the way for the favorites, who easily advanced to the men’s singles second round yesterday of the P1.5-million Bingo Bonanza National Open Badminton Championships at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Center.

Fresh from his Li Ning Singapore Youth International victory last month, Alcala crushed Team Prima’s Neil Pineda, 21-3, 21-17, and will next face Josh Maquelabit of Far Eastern University.

“I was just getting used to the surface and the shuttlecock, but I’m pleased with my game so far,” said Alcala who is unseeded but a favorite here on account of his victory over Philippine top player Toby Gadi last July in Smart Open.
In women’s singles, former national shuttler Malvinne Alcala advanced with a 21-9, 21-7 triumph over Dia Magno, while fellow Allied Victor player Gelita Castillo overwhelmed Sam Ramos, 21-10, 21-16.

Smash Pilipinas’ Alyssa Geverjuan and Patricia Malibiran also advanced by beating Cassandra Lim (21-19, 21-17) and Mariya Sevilla (19-21, 21-14, 21-18), respectively.

Alcala’s Allied Victor teammates Jon Masongsong, Carl Clemente, Gerald Sibayan, Garreth Dizer, Ethan Malelang and Lance Bautista also hurdled their opening round assignments.

Members of the national team called Smash Pilipinas likewise booked three slots in the next round through Emilio Mangubat Jr., Alexis Geverjuan and Frell Gabuelo.

Top seed Gadi will test the mettle of Masongsong in the next round.

Ateneo stalwart Clarence Filart turned back Benjie Silva, 21-17, 25-23, while teammates Carlo Remo and Kyle Gosiaco edged Beam Cabilan (21-10, 21-13) and Mark Sotea  (21-14, 19-21, 21-15), respectively.