Castilo foils Barredo; Alcala triumphs

MANILA, Philippines - Allied Victor’s Gelita Castilo pounced on Sarah Barredo’s miscues in the decider then fended off the top Smash Pilipinas’ bet’s rally to pound out a vengeful 21-17, 14-21, 21-19 victory yesterday and cop the women’s singles crown in the P1.5 million Bingo Bonanza National Open badminton tournament at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Center.

Castilo, 20, needed seven match points to foil the youthful Barredo’s late fightback and snare her first singles championship this year worth P100,000, later awarded by Philippine Badminton Association sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez and Philippine Sports Commission executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy.

Mark Alcala completed Allied Victor’s sweep of the singles crowns by holding off fifth seed R-Jay Ormilla, also of Smash Pilipinas, 21-15, 21-11, in the men’s Open singles finals of the event sponsored by Bingo Bonanza and organized by EventKing Corp. He also took the top P100,000 purse.

Paul Jefferson Vivas and Eleanor Christine Inlayo downed Smash Pilipinas teammates Peter Gabriel Magnaye and Jessie Francisco, 21-13, 21-19, to pocket the mixed doubles title worth P120,000.

Castilo’s win also avenged the Far Eastern University freshman’s quarterfinal loss to Barredo in the Smart Cup last August along with her teammates Malvinne Poca Alcala and Mary Ann Maranon’s defeats.

“I knew it’s going to be tough, but I pulled it off,” said Castilo, who slumped on the court after sealing the final point, covered her face as she shed tears of joy after finally nailing the elusive victory, her first since teaming up with Malvinne Alcala to win the Singapore Juniors doubles title eight years ago.

While it was Castilo who took home the champion’s trophy and the top purse, Barredo, 15 and the current No. 1 juniors player in the country, won the hearts of the appreciative Sunday crowd for her determination and big fighting heart.

Trailing 3-9 at the start of the deciding set, Barredo mounted a spirited rally and tied the count at 10 before Castilo unleashed a smash to regain control.