MANILA, Philippines - Mark Shelley Alcala of Allied-NVBA held off Kerr Longno of Jaguar Academy of Cadiz City, 21-14, 22-20, to cop the under-19 singles crown in the nationalfinals of the second Sun Cellular National Juniors badminton tournament at the JCentre Mall in Mandaue City, Cebu over the weekend.
Alcala earlier topped the boys U-17 with a 21-10, 21-8 win over John Mark Valenzuela also of Cadiz’s Jaguar Academy to complete a twinkill in the tournament sponsored by Sun Cellular, Smart, MVP Sports Foundation, PBA, Smash Pilipinas, Victor-exclusively distributed by Pcome Industrial Sales, Inc., Bayfront Hotel Cebu and JC Centre Mandaue.
Aldreen Rae Concepcion of Allied-NBVA turned back Celine Etjelle Tolentino of Metro Kidapawan, 21-16, 21-15, to top the U-17 girls singles while Team Prima’s Arthur Samuel Salvado, Jr. and Golden Shuttle Foundation’s Mikaela Joy de Guzman won the U-15 titles with wins over Carl USC Warriors’ Bernard Bejasa, 18-21, 21-16, 22-20, and JLTC’s Katrina Licel Togado, 21-12, 21-13, respectively.
In the U-11 singles finals, MSI Jrs’ Mark Anthony Bernal defeated CBDD Smashers Mati’s Dashiel Requina Indelible, 21-9, 21-13, and Cadiz Jaguar Academy’s Reshane Marie Nicor bested CBDD Smashers Mati’s Andre Alexis Macalalag, 21-14, 17-21, 22-20.
Other doubles winners were Arthur Samuel Salvado and Jennifer Helyn (U-15 mixed), Carl Bernard Bejasa and James Ryan Villarante (U-15 boys), Karylle Kaye Baguio Molina and Jennifer Saladaga (U-15 girls), Cody Torres and Anne Lorraine Cario (U-17 mixed), Ron Danelle Cabalquinto and John Arl Parantar (U-17 boys), Janelle Anne Andres and Beatrice Aurelio Felizardo (U-17 girls) and Kerr Longno and Jayklord Nicor (U-19 boys).
Smart Sports’ Christopher Quimpo said the event served as part of MVP Sports Foundation’s program to discover and tap talents in the countryside for spots in future national pool.
“This is part of the MVP Sports Foundation’s program to strengthen the country’s grassroots development program in badminton,” said Quimpo.