KUWAIT CITY, Sept 15: Jess Sibunga and Billy Ramos proved that they are the best pair in men’s class when they took the title in the 2nd part of the Filipino Badminton Club in Kuwait (FILBACK)-Fun Game called “Hatawan sa Garden” , Friday evening, in the Al Salam Garden.
They were joined by Chato Guillermo and Marie Grace Calungsod who showed that they are the best in the Ladies Higher event as they walked home with the crown.
On the other hand, Vanessa Hinolan and Elibeth Mendoza proved that they have improved their skills and have become a force to be reckoned with when they acquired the title in the Ladies Lower category.

Men’s section
Jess Sibunga and Billy Ramos — who have received a number of recognitions over the recent past – collected another award when they fought for every point and edged Richard Amoto and Mohammed Rafiq in the Championship finals 21-23, 21-19, 21-18 while in the semifinals Jess and Billy proved that Rey Lubaton and Marlon Soriano (joker) were easy opponents when they finished the game in two sets 21-15, 21-13.
The final was really a very close affair and could have gone either way with both sides not giving an inch. Amoto and Rafik fought their hearts out to take the first set which went into an extension before they prevailed. With everyone tugging the grass as there were no seats in the garden to which they could seat on, Sibunga and Ramos fought back in the second set which again turned into a cliffhanger as their opponents had to win only one more set to clinch the championship while they needed a victory to level the match and push it into a third deciding set. After a tough fight,which involved long rallies, Sibunga and Ramos leveled the match as they took the set—although by only two points.
It by now seemed that the stage was set for another very close set and this is exactly what happened as neither side was ready to admit they were second best but ultimately every game has to end with only one winner and in this case it was Sibunga and Ramos who walked away with the title.The losers deserve a lot of credit for fighting right until the very end and giving nothing away.
Earlier in the knock out matches, the tandem of Mark Arroyo and Ronald Brizuela wasted no effort to beat Renato Calanog and Rey Lubaton 21-17, 21-13, while Jess Sibunga and Billy Ramos were made to sweat for every point before they could edge Marlon Soriano and Gerry 19-21, 21-17, 21-19, Leandro De Jesus and Renato Niegas overpowered Richard Amoto and George Burgos 21-15, 21-17, Richard Amoto and Rafiq Mohammed pressed on the accelerator in the last two sets when they outlasted FILBACK Daddy Caloy Abesamis and Renato Calanog 18-21, 21-19, 21-18, Marianne Salunga and Jonnie Gratil blended well on the courts and thrashed Allan Sayoto and Frank james in back to back sets 21-12, 21-12 and the tandem of Mark Arroyo and Ronald Brizuela crushed Jeth Adlawan and Regina Casano 21-10, 21-13.
Ladies (Higher)
Chato Guillermo and Maricel Calungsod put in their best performance in the championship finals for the crown when they edged Helda Morales and Cheryl Manaytay in a mouthwatering clash that extended to 3 sets 21-15, 19-21, 23-21.
The match was quite tough except for the first set which Guillermo and Calungsod won easily, giving away only 15 points before Morales and Manaytay fought back in the second set, winning it by two points to force the game into a third deciding set.
The third set saw both the teams at their best, fighting for each point and being involved in long rallies before Guillermo and Calungsod showed that they had stronger nerves to take the title.
In the semifinal round, Helda Morales and Cherryl Manaytay were made to sweat before they outlasted Ma. Loudes Orbase 15-21, 22-20, 21-19. Meanwhile Chato Guillermo and Marie Grace Calungsod overwhelmed Rosalie Galvez and Jhune Banzn 21-18, 21-17.
Earlier in the knock-out games, Helda and Cherryl tamed Val Canicosa 21-18, 21-15, Ma. Lourdes and Lyn hammered Abby Sayoto and Jeves Cruz 21-13, 21-15 and Chato with Marie Grace put in their best effort to edge Rosalie Galvez and Jhune Banzn 19-21, 21-17, 21-19.
Ladies (Lower)
Vanessa Hinolan and Elibeth Mendoza’s passion for the sport bore fruit when they conquered this section for the title as they brushed aside Maricel Ilagan and Maureen Salumbre in two sets 21-18, 21-17.
In the earlier games, Vanessa and Elibeth overcame Cielo and Charita in 2 extended sets 21-13, 22-20, while Maureen and Maricel thumped Cielo and Charita 21-16, 21-19, Ricky and Edith blended well on the courts and tamed Jenna Rafael and Geraldine Mia Maghirang in back to back sets 21-19, 21-19 and the girl power of Vanessa and Elibeth scored another victory when they outlasted Maricel and Maureen in a seesaw battle 21-17, 11-21, 21-16.
The awarding ceremony followed late that evening at the humble abode of the Ilejay Family in Ahmadi a feast of sumptuous dinner was served. FILBACK Organizers made sure that they carry on to promote friendship, sportsmanship and camaraderie among its members and non-members.
One-day tourney
In celebration of Eid Al Fitr, FILBACK officials worked very hard to come up with friendly one-day competition being held at the same arena, Sunday evening.
Six clusters were formed with 4 members each (2 ladies and 2 gents) and due to the limited time available after the knock out games, the winning teams then proceeded to the championship finals.
Group 3 —composed of Rey Lubaton, Mark Arroyo, Cherryl Manaytay and Rosita Arroyo – scored a victory in the championship finals against Team 1 which was based on Jess Sibunga, Rafiq Mohammed, Rosalie Galvez and Lyn Pascua.
The final matches saw Rey and Mark put to a tough test as they were made to sweat before they could edge the good pair of Jess and Rafiq in an extended 3-set play 12-21, 22-20, 23-21 while the girl power of Cheryl and Rosita worked hand in hand to outlast Rosalie and Lyn in a seesaw battle 21-18, 17-21, 21-18.
The earlier games witnessed Group 1 overwhelmGroup 2 — based on Richard Amoto, Billy Ramos, George Burgos and Ayi Buenaventura. Team 1’s best men Jess and Rafiq blended well on the courts as they brushed aside Richard and Billy 21-19, 21-19 while Rosalie and Lyn put in their best effort to edge George and Ayi in a close 3-set match 21-19, 20-22, 21-19.
Cluster 3 thumped Team 4— composed of Renato Calanog, Caloy Abesamis, Marie Grace Calungsod and Frenel Garcia. Team 3’s tandem of Rey and Mark fought wisely to outlast Renato and Caloy 21-11, 11-21, 21-19 while Cherryl and Rosita found Marie Grace and Frenel an easy opponent as they completed the game in 2 sets 21-18, 21-17.
In the other games, the Group 5 line up of Rey Quedeng, Jonnie Gratil, Helda Morales and Jeves Cruz leveled with one victory against Team 6— composed of Richard Amoto (joker), Renato Niegas, Vanessa Hinolan and Maricel Ilagan. Cluster 6 scored through Richard and Renato when they overcame Rey and Jonnie in 2 extended sets 21-14, 23-21 while Team 5 bounced back through the tandem of Helda and Jeves as they outlasted Vanessa and Maricel in a seesaw battle 21-10, 14-21, 21-5.
Meanwhile, FILBACK officials have announced that for any updates on the game schedule and venues anyone can access the FILBACK Facebook account which is available for viewing, and at the same time they have reminded that if they are not members they can just click “Like”.
Awards recipients:
Ladies Lower Category
Champions: Vanessa Hinolan, Elibeth Mendoza
1st Runners-up: Maricel Ilagan Villanueva, Maureen Salumbre
Ladies Higher Category
Champions: Chato Guillermo, Marie Grace Calungsod
1st Runners-ups: Cheryll Manaytay, Helda Morales
Men’s Open Category
Champions: Billy Ramos, Jess Sibunga
1st Runners-up: Richard Amoto, Rafiq Mohammed
One Day Tourney Winners
Champion: Rey Lubaton, Mark Arroyo, Cheryll Manaytay, Rosita Arroyo (Team 3).
1st Runner-up: Jess Sibunga, Rafiq Mohammed, Rosalie Galvez, Lyn Pascua (Team 1).
Fun Game Winners (last week)
Men’s Doubles
Champions: Renato Calanog & Rey Queddeng
1st runners-up: Billy Ramos & Alyssa Tagate
Ladies Doubles
Champions: Marie Grace Calungsod & Ayi Buenaventura
1st runners-up: Abelyn Sayoto & Jenna Rafael