THE CHAMPIONSHIP in the men’s open singles will be decided by Antonino Gaddi and Paul Vivas after each hurdled their respective opponents in the semifinals of the MVP Sports Foundation-Bingo Bonanza Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) tournament in Davao yesterday.
The top-seeded Gaddi hung tough and subdued No. 4 Peter Magnaye in the first set before completing a 21-19, 21-7 victory to reach the finals of the centerpiece event against Vivas at the Wheels ‘N More badminton courts.
The second-ranked Vivas cruised to the finals with a walkover win over Joper Escueta, who also retired due to cramps in the third set against Rabie Jason Oba-ob in the U-19 quarterfinals Monday.
Gaddi held off Vivas, 21-17, 16-21, 21-12, in the Bacolod leg finals but the latter is raring to get back at the country’s leading player in the third leg the nationwide circuit.
Gelita Castilo and Bianca Carlos likewise sealed an expected duel for the women’s Open singles title with similar straight-set wins in the semis of the event backed by official equipment sponsor Victor, exclusively distributed by PCOME Industrial Sales Inc.
Castilo, seeking her first title after two runner-up finishes, thumped Bianca Legaspi, 21-10, 21-10, while Carlos, who beat Castilo for the crown in the Manila leg last March, outclassed Fatima Cruz, 21-6, 21-15./Correspondent Jonas Panerio