Guardo badminton starts hot

The tandem of Malou and Anthony Peralta scored two wins to lead the early winners in the elimination round of the First Guardo Sports-Rudy Project National Badminton Championship, which opened successfully yesterday at the Metrosports Badminton Court in Lahug.

Attended by 300 badminton enthusiasts from Cebu and its neighboring provinces, the tournament is a mixed doubles event for players under levels C, D and E.

The Peraltas were on the top of their games as they dominated over Roger Sameon and Rosabell Quicio, 21-18, 21-17 in their first assignment. They went on to beat Alex and Ethel Choachuy, 21-17, 21-18, for their second win.

In Level D (A) Stephen Briones and Ciara Mae Co eked out a 21-8, 21-19 win over Jose Noel Inez and Che-che Ting in the first game and over Riza Magallon and Day Sanchez, 21-19, 21-12.

Level D (D) saw a 21-18, 21-11 victory of Dominic Tulen and Momot Irizari over Mario Carin and Michelle Castro.

The winners in Level E (A) was led by Edsel Diaz and Joanna Marie Diaz who won over Shirley Te and Lord Marapao IV of Bohol, 21-14, 21-19.

They also finished off with a 21-10, 21-18, scoring the hopes of Ahlyx Baring and John Gawchua and later the tandem of Bobby Villareal and Mae Odette Po, 19-21, 21-18 and 21-15.

On the other hand, Level E (C) players Jan Michael Cipres and Francis Croonen won over Joseph Pizarras and In-In Villanueva, 21-15, 21-13.

Action resumes with celebrities Beth Tamayo and Malou Santos expected to see action in the tournament supported by Mobile Gear, San Miguel Corp., PAGCOR, Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, Avia, Cebu TV Cannel 28, RCTV, Killerbee, Monster Radio, Sunstar, The Freeman, Cebu Daily News, Cebu Grand Hotel, Purefoods, Converse, Globelines, Sulpicio Lines, Viva Mineral Water, Gerry's Grill, Flame It, Cebu Pacific, Powerade and Coffee Dream.