MANILA, Philippines – Malvinne Ann Alcala and Joper Escueta hacked out a pair of victories in varying fashions to barge into the semifinal round of the Singapore Youth International 2010 at the Yio Chu Kang Sports Hall in Singapore over the weekend.
Alcala, the country’s leading shuttler, toppled Wing Yung Ng of Hong Kong, 21-11, 21-13, to arrange a semis showdown with Indonesia’s Febrtria Adistra Ratoputri in the girls’ singles under-17 class. She earlier whipped Nastasia Kristiani Patricia, 21-4, 21-7, in the round of 32 then beat another Indonesian, Uzchi, 21-8, 21-13, for a spot in the quarters.
Escueta, on the other hand, outpointed Chinese Taipei’s Meng Jui Tsai in the opening set then held on to pound out a tough 22-20, 21-17 victory to barge in the Final Four of the boys’ singles under-19 category against second seed Chao Huang of Singapore.
He earlier rallied from a set down to turn back Thai Nattaphon Chokdeepanich, 19-21, 21-8, 21-12, in the last 32 then bundled out Aussie Honesto Buendia, 21-16, 21-17.
The week-long tournament, which drew bets from the Allied Badminton, Whackers Badminton Academy, Team Prima, WWGBA, ETC, Gingoog Badminton clubs and the national team, serves as the Filipino players tune-up for the upcoming Ming Ramos-Victor National Youth Championship slated Dec. 27-30 at Club 650 and PSC Badminton Hall.
Registration for the Ming’s-Victor Cup is ongoing. For details, contact PBA at (632) 303-1070 or (+63) 915-5357015 or email joebm_13@yahoo.com <mailto:joebm_13@yahoo.com> and philippineba@gmail.com <mailto:philippineba@gmail.com> .
Also reaching the boys’ doubles under-13 semis were Mark Shelley Alcala and Frell Keeyan Gabuelo, who beat Singapore’s Clarence Koh and Wen Rui Deo Teo, 21-10, 22-20. They will take on Indonesia’s Adittya Dwiantoro and Reza Purnomo in the semis.