Mark Gagua and Jay Dela Cruz ruled the men’s side even as Rica Capito and Jessica Balanay dominated the women’s division in the inaugural staging of the Padul-ong Fun Borongan Badminton Cup at the Capitol Gym in Borongan City yesterday.
Gagua and Dela Cruz brushed off a first set wobble to stun Timoteo Barbo and Markcel Dadia, 18-21, 21-11, 22-20, and capture the crown in the men’s doubles level C or advanced category.
Capito and Balanay meanwhile made quick work of their foes Charlene Busa and injury-hit Norcelle Articulo, 21-12, 21-10, to seize the title also in level C in the distaff side.
The two-day event attracted around 133 badminton athletes and enthusiasts from Borongan, Maydolong, Balangkayan and Can-avid.
The participants showcased their skills across ten categories: men’s doubles C (for those with advanced skills or those who already played in regional meets), D (for the intermediate level or school athletes) and E (for beginners), women’s doubles C, D, and E, mixed doubles C, D, and E as well as a juvenile division (for elementary students) which was separately held last Sept. 2 in the same venue.
The tournament, held as part of the month-long fiesta festivities in the city, will help foster and rekindle the interest in badminton, a sport which Estehanons could excel in, according to Neil Pinarok, provincial tourism officer and member of event organizer Borongan Badminton Club.
“This event is a very big success. This will start and rekindle the love for badminton,” said Pinarok.
“Itong tournament na ito ay malaki ang maitutulong para maipalaganap at maging aware ang mga tao na this sport is existing. Na kayang gawin at ipakita ng mga Estehanon na kaya natin, na hindi lang ito laro ng mga elite, ng mga mayayaman lang, kung hindi laro ng anybody else, ng common tao at pwedeng mag-excel ang kahit na sino, lalo na ang mga Estehanon,” added Pinarok.
Pinarok also joined the competition, pairing with Capito to take home the trophy in the mixed doubles C category against Dadia and Jessica Balanay, 21-17, 19-21, 21-14, last Sunday.
The 54-year-old badminton enthusiast also emerged second in the men’s doubles D, as his pairing with Junil Balanay bowed to eventual champion Epoy Lopenia and JM Beros 14-21, 19-21, last night.
In the other men’s doubles championship match in level E, Felipe Pardo II and Queian Cajegas toppled Raprap Bagas and Ephraim Guarino, 22-20, 21-17.
Rounding up the winners in the women’s side are Eastern Samar State University badminton varsity player Busa and Capito (def. April Azura and Diana Apura, 21-17, 23-21, in level D), and level E champs Reyna Dadia and Heartlyn Aday (def. Rhea Esposa and Julia Apura, 21-17, 27-25).
Meanwhile, other titlists in the mixed doubles are Capito and Gagua (def. Barbo and Busa, 22-20, 15-21, 21-9 in level D), and Busa and Norberto Aparejado (def. Dadia and Balanay, 21-16, 21-17, in level E).
The champions and runners-up also received cash prizes: P6000 and P3000, respectively, for level C, P4000 and P2000 for levels D and E, and P2000 and P1000 for the juvenile.
The tournament was held in partnership with the City Government of Borongan through the City Tourism Office and City Information Office.
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