THE Philippine Badminton Association Smash Pilipinas, headed by Anton Cayanan and Philip Joper Escueta, dominated the doubles’ event of the Smart National Open Badminton Tournament 2016 recently at the Vista Mall in Taguig City.
Cayanan and Escueta, both national players under the tutelage of Indonesian coach Paulus Firman, teamed up impressively in both sets during the final round to beat fellow nationals Ronel Estanislao and Paul Jefferson Vivas, 21-12, 24-22, and capture the men’s doubles open title.
Prior to their finals’ meet up, Cayanan and Escueta routed National University’s Mike Minuluan and Alem Palmares, 21-15, 21-11, in the semifinals, while Estanislao and Vivas bashed national players Peter Gabriel Magnaye and Alvin Morada, 25-23, 25-15, also in the semifinals.
In the women’s doubles open finals, Alyssa Ysabel Leonardo and Thea Marie Pomar beat Bianca Carlos and Chanelle Lunod, 21-17, 17-21, 21-16, to capture the title of the annual competition supported by PBA Chairman and Smart Telecommunication Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan.
Leonardo and Pomar, also both national players, beat University of the Philippines’ Gelita Castilo and Eleanor Inlayo, 21-12, 21-11, in the semifinals while Carlos and Lunod of Ateneo De Manila University outplayed Joella De Vera and Aires Amor Montilla, 17-21, 23-21, 21-17, also in semifinals.
In the men’s open singles championship, Malaysian Shazwan Shahrul outplayed Rabie Jayson Oba-ob, 21-13, 21-19, to grab the crown.
Bianca Carlos crushed Mariya Anghela Sevilla, 21-15, 21-16, to earn the women’s singles’ open trophy.
In the mixed doubles finals, John Paul Pantig and Francesca Bermejo rallied past Carlo Remo and Chanelle Lunod, 17-21, 21-16, 21-14, to take home the crown.
The PBA is under the leadership of president Jejomar Binay and Secretary General Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez.