Gadi, Carlos retain PBaRS singles crowns

MANILA, Philippines - Toby Gadi made it six-in-row while Bianca Carlos reigned for the second straight time as the Golden Shuttle Foundation bets pulled off a pair of straight-set victories in the Open singles fi nals in the MVP Sports Foundation- Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) Makati leg at the Makati Coliseum yesterday. Gadi, who barely survived Kevin Dalisay in the semis, dominated Paul Vivas of Phl Team-Victor, 21-16, 21-9, to annex his six straight men’s Open singles crown while PBaRS Cebu leg winner Carlos repeated over top seed Gelita Castilo, 21-16, 21-15, in the women’s fi nals of the centerpiece event sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation. Vice President and Philippine Badminton Association chief Jejomar Binay, Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. and PBA Party-list Rep. Mark Sambar with PBaRS tournament director Nelson Asuncion graced the awards rites of the fi ve-day tournament backed by Victor PCOME Industrial Sales Inc., exclusive distributor of Victor equipment. “I feel like I played more relaxed today, not forcing my shots too much unlike against Dalisay where I played too much on the sides which cost me a lot of unforced errors,“ said the 23-yearold Gadi, a fourth year AB International Studies student at Ateneo. While admitting that he came into the fi nals wary of the second seeded Vivas, Gadi said that he remained confi dent of his chances, knowing he has the tools and the skills to win his sixth straight MVPSF-PBaRS crown. The country’s top player is set to compete in various international tournaments, including the Hong Kong Super Series, and Macau and Korea Grand Prix Gold although he hopes “there will be people who could help me with the funds I’ll be needing to join these tournaments.” Frell Gabuelo held off Alexis Geverjuan, 21-13, 21-17, to pocket the boys’ Under-15 diadem while Sarah Joy Barredo took the girls’ U-15 plum with a 21-8, 21-13 victory over Alyssa Geverjuan.