KUWAIT CITY, Feb 10: Jabbar Farooqi & Amith Balakrishnan took the top honors when the  championship finals took place in the  Filipino Badminton Club in Kuwait (Filback)- AMEC Inter-Commercial Badminton tournament  at the Handball Gym in Kazma Sports Complex, Adailiya Friday.
This event is being sponsored by John Bruce and Greg Blanco of AMEC Oil and Gas Company, supported by Alpha Phi Omega Kuwait Alumni Association (APO KAA)-153.
A few good men and women survived the tough competition to take home this season’s crowns with Jabbar Farooqi & Amith Balakrishnan walking home with the Men’s O crown, Francis Enriquez & Roy Satorre proving to be the best pair in Men’s A, Jess Sibunga Jr. & Renato Calanog displaying their skills to conquer the Men’s B title, Paul Lozano & Analyn Abides clinching the Men’s C event, the girl power of Mercy Joy Villanueva & Lyn Pascua lifting the Ladies B crown and Maricris Malilay & Venus Poquizazel collecting the Ladies C title.
After the wild cards had been drawn to determine the players in each category,  the quarter-finalists were slowly trimmed down to a few pairs who achieved recognition as their efforts, determination and passion for the game bore fruit.

Men’s O
In the initial knock out games that took place in Men’s O,  Pushkaraj Altekar and Anil Lakmotia wasted no effort to thump Dutta and Mohammad Nadeem 21-12, 21-13, and Mathew Jacob and Joker hammered Shibi and Nestor Matondo 21-18, 21-13 while the 2nd round witnessed Pushkaraj and Anil put their best foot forward to overcome Mathew Jacob and Joker ( substitute player) in 2 extended  sets 21-8, 22-20.
The quarter-finals saw tons of action when Pushkaraj and Anil fought wisely to collect every point and outlast the good pair of Chandra Mouli and the youngest brilliant player in the tournament Somesh Daga in a seesaw battle which went to three sets 23-21, 20-22, 23-21 while D.G. Supul and Ravi wasted no time to beat Dr Manimara “Doc Mani” Chozhan and Olan Patriarca in  back to back sets 21-13, 21-13.
Meanwhile, the cold weather outside the gym was taken over by the heat on the courts when exciting matches filled the arena in the semifinals with Jabbar Farooqi and Amith Balakrishnan involved in a close fight before scoring  victory in 2 sets against D.G. Supul and Ravi 21-19, 21-19 while two of the finest players Faheem Contractor and Noor Al Hassan brushed aside Pushkaraj and Anil 21-19, 21-19.
Badminton supporters gathered around the courts to witness outstanding execution of solid smashes and cross over the net drop shots from the premium players when the highest class of Men’s O  saw the tandem of “Pakistan Champ” Jabbar Farooqi and Amith Balakrishnan overwhelm Faheem Contractor and Noor Al Hassan 21-17, 21-18 for the title while Pushkaraj Altekar and Lakmotia walked home with 2nd runners-up trophy when they fought every inch of the way against D.G. Supul and Ravi in a seesaw battle to win 21-10, 12-21, 21-19.
Men’s A
In the knock-out games Michael del Pilar and James Briones beat Ramil Cadano and Ray Allan Sayoto 21-15, 21-16, while Leo Regner and Donald Briones thumped Richard Amoto and Thajik Umeer in back to back sets 21-16, 21-16.
In the quarter-finals, Vijay and Edison dela Cruz hammered Michael del Pilar 21-15, 21-15, while Harinath and Ed Buensuceso outlasted Leo Regner and Donald Briones in a seesaw battle 21-8, 17-21, 21-17
In the semifinals Francis Enriquez and Roy Satorre edged Vijay and Edison dela Cruz 15-21, 21-18, 21-15 while Chan Basha Shaik and Nestor Farinas tamed Harinath and Ed Buensuceso in  back to back  sets 21-18, 21-18
The championship finals witnessed Francis Enriquez and Roy Satorre work hand in hand for the crown when they overcame Chan Basha Shaik and Nestor Farinas 22-20, 21-18 while Vijay and Edison dela Cruz achieved the 2nd runners-up spot when they outlasted Harinath and Ed Buensuceso 21-9, 15-21, 21-16.
Men’s B
The initial knock out games saw Rey “Smokey” Orje and Joel Aguirre crush Friday Viernes and Norman Calina 21-13, 21-8, while Jonathan Munalem and Rafiq brushed aside Robert Gubat and John Rubin 21-12, 21-18, Rasheed and Daisy Balungaya overpowered Bernard Balungaya and Kannan 21-14, 21-15 and Ross Uson and Leandro de Jesus thrashed Arnold Abordo and Sid Ladia 21-14, 21-9.
In the second round of knock out matches Rey Orje and Joel Aguirre overcame Jonathan Munalem and Rafiq 21-17, 22-20 while Ross Uson and Leandro de Jesus overwhelmed Rasheed and Daisy Balungaya 21-10, 21-18.
In the quarter-finals, Rey Orje and Joel Aguirre overpowered Caloy “FILBACK Daddy” Abesamis and Marianne Salunga 21-18, 21-14, while Romeo Derequito and Marc Arroyo outclassed Ross Uson and Leandro de Jesus 17-21, 21-14, 21-17.
In the semifinals Jess Sibunga and Renato Calanog blended well on the courts and thumped Rey Orje and Joel Aguirre 21-14, 21-16 while Romeo Derequito and Mark Arroyo brushed aside Roger Jimenez and Rey Lubaton 21-9, 21-15.
The championship was taken home by Jess Sibunga and Renato Calanog but not before they were made to sweat and fight for every  point to overcome Romeo Derequito and Mark Arroyo in 2 extended sets 21-14, 24-22 while Roger Jimenez and Rey Lubaton finished 2nd runners-up when they outclassed Rey Orje and Joel Aguirre in a seesaw battle 21-19, 16-21, 21-15.
Men’s C
In the knockout round Srinivas and Beth Buensuceso thumped Glen Piliotas and C.S. Priyadh 21-10, 21-17, Jeth Adlawan and Elsie Valenzuela outlasted Cesar Castro and Romeo Tribunalo 21-23, 21-17, 21-16, Rey Quedeng and Fe Adarne brushed aside W.P. Asela and Raffy Ilejay 21-15, 21-16 and Alex Tirona and John Bruce edged Arnel Miguel and Romeo Longalong 17-21, 21-12, 21-18.
The second round knock out saw Jeth Adlawan and Elsie Valenzuela outlast Srinivas and Beth Buensuceso 18-21, 21-14, 21-16 while Rey Quedeng and Fe Adarne crushed Alex Tirona and John Bruce 21-11, 21-17.
In the quarter-finals, Cesar Isidro and Butch Bagahansol outlasted Jeth Adlawan and Elsie Valenzuela 18-21, 21-14, 21-16, while Paul Lozano and Analyn Abides hammered Rey Quedeng and Fe Adarne 21-13, 21-15.
In the semifinals Gomer Imperial and Kristina Quipse brushed aside Cesar Isidro Butch Bagahansol 21-11, 21-15, while Paul Lozano and Analyn Abides edged Sunny Rae Lascuna and Beck Orje in a seesaw battle 21-14, 19-21, 21-11.
The championship finals were won by Paul Lozano and Analyn Abides when they outclassed Gomer Imperial and Kristina Quipse 18-21, 21-8, 21-18 while Sunny Rae Lascuna and Beck Orje walked home with the 2nd runners-up spot when they overwhelmed Cesar Isidro and Butch Bagahansol 23-21, 21-17.

Ladies B
In the knockout round, Meliza Titong and Regina Casano overcame Amor Llanes and Grace Daulo 25-23, 21-16 while Lyn Roca and Ruby Rose Miranda overwhelmed Norma Guillermo and Paz Carlos 21-19, 21-17.
The second round saw Lyn Roca and Ruby Rose Miranda made to sweat for every  point to edge the good pair of Meliza Titong and Regina Casano 17-21, 21-16, 24-22.
In the quarter-finals,  Cherrylou Nicolas and Abelyn Sayoto tamed Lyn Roca and Ruby Rose Miranda 21-18, 21-11 while Aileen Zoreta and Peachy Quinones overcame Laura Baldemoro and Mayeen “FILBACK Mommy” Abesamis 21-13, 22-20.
The semifinals saw Mercy Joy Villanueva and Lyn Pascua beat Aileen Zoreta and Peachy Quinones 21-14, 21-10 while Cherrylou Nicolas and Abelyn Sayoto tamed Biverly Malvar and Lourdes Orbase 21-9, 21-13.
The championship crown was taken by Mercy Joy Villanueva and Lyn Pascua when they outclassed Cherrylou Nicolas and Abelyn Sayoto 25-24, 18-21, 21-15 while 2nd runners-up were Aileen Zoreta and Peachy Quinones after they edged Biverly Malvar and Lourdes Orbase 18-21, 21-14, 21-13.

Ladies C
In the knockout games, Jeves Cruz and Jazella Ilejay outclassed Bebsy Briones and Jannet Gravador 15-21, 21-9, 21-17, while Fe Isabel Adarne and Chato Guillermo edged Joan Ilejay and joker in a seesaw battle 21-11, 20-22, 21-13 and Cristina Baylon and Malou Lubaton outlasted Vhennie Ilejay and Frenel Gene Parcia 21-8, 17-21, 21-16.
The second round saw Fe Isabel Adarne and Chato Guillermo overwhelm Jeves Cruz and Jazella Ilejay 21-19, 21-13 while Cristina Baylon and Malou Lubaton brushed aside Maribeth Santua and Vanessa Hinolan 21-16, 21-10.
In the quarter-finals, Rosita Arroyo and Aileen Buenaventura tamed Fe Isabel Adarne and Chato Guillermo 21-15, 21-19 while Cheryl Manaytay and Helda Morales wasted no effort to thrash Cristina Baylon and Malou Lubaton 21-8, 21-6.
In the semifinals Maricris Malilay and Venus Poquizasel outlasted Rosita Arroyo and Aileen Buenaventura 18-21, 21-19, 21-11 while Mary Grace Calungsod and Rosalie Galvez edge Cheryl Manaytay and Helda Morales 21-19, 6-21, 21-14.
The championship  crown was taken home by Maricris Malilay and Venus Poquizasel when they wasted no effort to beat Marie Grace Calungsod and Rosalie Galvez 21-10, 21-9 while 2nd runners-up were Cheryl Manaytay and Helda Morales when they overpowered Rosita Arroyo and Aileen Buenaventura 21-10, 21-12.

Awards Recipients:
Men’s O Doubles
Champion    Jabbar Farooqi & Amith             Balakrishnan
1st runner-up    Faheem Contractor & Noor Al             Hassan
2nd runner-up    Pushkaraj Altekar & Anil Lakmotia
Men’s A Doubles
Champion    Francis Enriquez & Roy Satorre
1st runner-up    Chan Basha Shaik & Nestor             Farinas
2nd runner-up    Vijay Shirmatti & Edison dela Cruz
Men’s B Doubles
Champion    Jess Sibunga Jr. & Renato             Calanog
1st runner-up    Romeo Derequito & Mark Arroyo
2nd runner-up    Roger Jimenez & Rey Lubaton
Men’s C Doubles
Champion    Paul Lozano & Analyn Abides
1st runner-up    Gomer Imperial & Kristina Quipse
2nd runner-up    Sunny Rae Lascuna & Beck Orje
Ladies B Doubles
Champion    Mercy Joy Villanueva & Lyn             Pascua
1st runner-up    Cherrylou Nicolas & Abelyn Sayoto
2nd runner-up    Aileen Zoreta & Peachy Quinones
Ladies C Doubles
Champion    Maricris Malilay & Venus             Poquizazel
1st runner-up    Marie Grace Calungsod & Rosalie     Galvez
2nd runner-up    Cheryl Manaytay & Helda Morales
The Filback Team Tournament Competition is now open. For details call Filback Founding Chairman Caloy Abesamis-2533-2158, Filback Director Leo Regner-9923-5918 and Filback Tournament Director Ed Buensuceso-6605-9217.
Filback organizers would like to thank  Khalid Sharif of Dollarco Exchange Co Ltd,  Vic Pine of APO-Beta Chi, Mike Servo of Charley’s Grilled Sub, Noel Amador from APO-Gamma Epsilon, Edwin Marco of Popeye’s Chicken and Subs, Reggie Ramos of APO XI, Greg Blanco and John Bruce of AMEC Oil and Gas Company, Darwin Gonzales APO Eta Mu Chapter, Tammy Solaiman, Shivy Bhasin from Bhasin Company, Caloy Abesamis from APO-Upsilon, Nico Contreras from APO Beta-Tau and Nelson Santiago from APO-PSI Chapter and Vhennie Ilejay from United Interactive General Trading (UIGT).