Topseed Gadi collars finals slot in PBars, Alcala sizzles

Toby Gadi breezed through to the finals in the men’s singles Open as he downed Peter Magnaye in the MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) circuit at the Metro Sports Center in Lahug, Cebu City yesterday.

Gadi, the top seed in the Open division, wasted no time in asserting himself over the third-seed Magnaye, crushing the latter, 21-3, 21-7 in their semifinals tussle. Gadi, who is tipped to capture his fifth Open title, arranged a title clash with No. 13 Ralph Mendez, who stopped Andrei Babad, 16-21, 21-7, 21-13, in the other semis encounter.

Youngster Mark Alcala also had a fantastic showing as he stunned second seed Carlos Cayanan to grab a spot in the under-19 finals.

Gadi’s fellow Golden Shuttle Foundation teammates Gelita Castilo and Bianca Carlos, also set up a finals duel in the women’s Open singles after they trounced their respective semifinal rivals.

Castilo defeated Jen Cayetano, 21-14, 21-19, while Carlos battered Bianca Legaspi, 21-6, 21-11.

However, the spotlight shone brightly on the phenomenal Alcala, winner of four U-15 titles last year and vying in the tougher division this year, when he upset the second-seeded Cayanan, 21-18, 21-12, to reach the U-19 finals.

Alcala will have his work cut out for him today as he takes on third seed John Kenneth Monterubio, also of Philippine team-Victor, who foiled JC Clarito, 21-17, 21-17, in the other semis clash.

Alcala is also favored to tipped to run away with his fifth crown in the U-15 class of the tournament. He bundled out Alexis Geverjuan of Whackers, 21-7, 21-13, to seal a title duel with No. 2 Patrick Gecosala of ETC Space Shuttle Kidapawan, who trounced Emilio Mangubat Jr., 21-18, 21-6.

Carlos likewise lined herself up for a golden double as she reached the finals of the girls U-19 following her emphatic, 21-11, 21-11 romp over giant-killer Marina Caculitan of Whackers. She will face No. 6 and fellow GSF mainstay Patrisha Malibiran, who also posted a shocker by ousting second seed Elisha Ongcuangco with a thrilling, 21-19, 21-19 victory.

The finals in all divisions, including the doubles events, start at 9 a.m. today.