Alcala, Carlos seal Binay GP title showdown

MANILA, Philippines - Malvinne Ann “Poca” Alcala flashed superb form and toppled Gelita Castilo, 21-16, 21-9, to gain a crack at a second crown against Bianca Carlos in the VP Binay Grand Prix Badminton Open Championships-PBaRS fourth leg at the Philsports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

Alcala, the reigning Singapore and Australian Juniors champion and winner of the second leg of the national ranking circuit, outlasted Castilo in a close first set duel then overpowered the top seeded bet in the next to complete the 36-minute romp in the P1 million tournament presented by MVP Sports Foundation and Robinsons Land.

Carlos, on the other hand, bucked a 9-11 deficit in the early going and clipped Reyne Calimlim, 21-16, 21-10, to likewise earn another shot for a title after topping the kickoff leg of the four-leg circuit sponsored by PLDT Smart Foundation, Robinsons Mall, Gatorade and official equipment sponsor Victor, exclusively distributed by PCOME Industrial Sales, Inc.

“It was a bit shaky at the start but I immediately regained my composure and gave my best,” said the 16-year-old Carlos from St. Paul College-Pasig, adding she’ll treat the game against Alcala just like in any other tournament while vowing to stay focused.

Alcala and Carlos dispute the ladies Open singles crown and the top P70,000 purse today in the first of two title clashes between two of the country’s leading players in the tournament which gathered the cream of the country’s crop and rising stars.

This after Alcala subdued No. 2 Elisha Ongcuangco, 21-4, 21-8, and Carlos disposed of Abigail Garcia, 21-11, 21-12, in the semis of the girls’ Under-19 singles category of the event sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association, headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.