KUWAIT CITY, Dec 15: Edison dela Cruz and Sharad showed their power this week when they beat back a strong challenge from their opponents to clinch the title in the top-most category of “Hataw sa Pasko” (Smash on Christmas), organized by the Filipino Badminton Club in Kuwait (FILBACK) at an Arabic school in Riggae, Friday.
This event was spearheaded by FILBACK Founding Father Caloy Abesamis with the support of Alpha Phi Omega Kuwait Alumni Association (APO KAA-153) along with the backing of FILBACK’s committed group of office-bearers, including Director Leo Regner and Tournament Director Ed Buensuceso.
Men’s A
In Men’s Higher A, Edison dela Cruz and Sharad walked home with this season’s crown when they overwhelmed James Flores and Ed Buensuceso 21-20, 21-12, while the 2nd runner-up award went to the tandem of Nestor Matondo and Marianne Salunga when they outlasted Richard Amoto and Mark Arroyo 12-21, 21-18, 21-20.
Dela Cruz and Sharad had a tough first set and it took tons of determination from their side to hold off their opponents as the set could have gone either way with the winners moving 1-0 ahead after winning by only one point. With the first set full of fireworks, drop shots, long rallies and smashes it seemed the second set would follow the same pattern but it turned out to be a disappointment as Dela Cruz and Sharad cut down their opponents, not allowing them to settle down before they took the set by giving away only 12 points and with it the game and the crown.
The semifinals saw Edison dela Cruz and Sharad overwhelm Nestor Matondo and Marianne Salunga 21-16, 21-18 while James Flores and Ed Buensuceso outlasted Richard Amoto and Mark Arroyo 21-18, 17-21, 21-16.
The quarter-finals witnessed Nestor Matondo and Marianne Salunga thump Jess Sibunga and Anno “Da General” Borbe 21-11, 21-16 while Richard Amoto and Mark Arroyo edged Nestor Farinas and Roger Jimenez 21-18, 20-21, 21-7.
Earlier, in the knock-out games, Nestor Matondo and Marianne Salunga outlasted Donald Briones and Renato Calanog 15-21, 21-20, 21-13 while Nestor Farinas and Roger Jimenez hammered Rasheed and Ramil Cadano 21-12, 21-15.
Men’s B
In Men’s B, Sid Ladia and Dennis Ferno bagged the highest honor when they overcame Joel Aguirre and Dennis Malay 21-15, 21-20 while Billy Ramos and Jet Adlawan outlasted Jonnie Gratil and Paul Lozano in a seesaw battle 21-20, 19-21, 21-19 for the runners-up award.
Ladia and Ferno were simply superb in the final and controlled the match right from the start to the first. They took the first set after giving away only 15 points to move 1-0 ahead. They, however, didn’t expect the fight they ran into in the second set as their opponents fought very hard and put in their all as they tried to level the match by taking the set. But all their efforts came to naught when Ladia and Ferno held on to take the set by one point and with it the match and the title.
The semifinals saw Joel Aguirre and Dennis Malay brush aside Jonnie Gratil and Paul Lozano in back to back sets 21-13, 21-13 while Sid Ladia and Dennis Ferno crushed Billy Ramos and Jet Adlawan 21-12, 21-15.
In the quarterfinals Billy Ramos and Jet Adlawan overwhelmed Mohammad Rafiq and Rene Anglita 21-19, 21-18 while Joel Aguirre and Dennis Malay tamed Caloy “FILBACK Daddy” Abesamis and Rey “Smokey” Orje 21-15, 21-17.
Earlier, in the knock-out games, Caloy Abeaamis and Rey Orje crushed Rey Lubaton and John Rubin 21-20, 21-13 and the tandem of Billy Ramos and Jet Adlawan overcame Rey Queddeng and Gomer Imperial 21-19, 21-18.
Mixed Higher C
In the Mixed Higher C class, new names were registered as champions when Noel Zagada and Ejay de Leon overwhelmed Ronald Brizuela and George Burgos 21-18, 21-19 while 2nd runners up Romeo Tribunalo and Rico Gabuyo outlasted Majeed and Sunnyrae Lascuna 14-21, 21-19, 21-15.
The semi final games saw Ronald Brizuela and George Burgos outlast Romeo Tribunalo and Rico Gabuyo in a seesaw battle 21-16, 16-21, 21-20 while Noel Zagada and Ejay de Leon edged Majeed and Sunnyrae Lascuna 21-19, 17-21, 21-12.
Earlier, the quarterfinals witnessed Ronald Brizuela and George Burgos edge Arnold Abordo and Brilly Lariosa 20-21, 21-14, 21-18 while Noel Zagada and Ejay de Leon thumped Nick Niegas and Butch Bagahansol 21-11, 21-17.
Mixed Lower C
In Mixed Lower C, Andrew Dalida and Albert Naguit clinched the crown when they overpowered Betchai Buensuceso and Edison Gaspar 21-17, 21-16 while Romeo Longalong and Regina Casano outlasted Azhar and Chato Guillermo 8-21, 21-11, 21-18.
The semifinals saw Betchai Buensuceso and Edison Gaspar waste no time to beat Romeo Longalong and Regina Casano 21-13, 21-18 while Andrew Dalida and Albert Naguit edged Azhar and Chito Guillermo 16-21, 21-12, 21-13.
In the quarter-finals, Romeo Longalong and Regina Casano tamed Cathy Manzano and Grace Calungsod 21-19, 21-17 while Azhar and Chato Guillermo overcame Maebelle Abesamis and Joel dela Cruz 21-15, 21-20.
Earlier, the knock out games witnessed Maebelle Abesamis and Joel dela Cruz hammer Joker and Biberly Malvar 21-17, 21-14.
Mixed Higher D
In Mixed Higher D, Abdulatif and Christian acquired the title when they were made to sweat before they could edge Rowell Antonio and Ayi Buenaventura 16-21, 21-16, 21-20, while Enrique Macarandang and Fay Guzman bagged the 2nd runners-up award when they overcame Jhune and Vanessa 21-10, 21-19.
The semifinals saw Rowell Antonio and Ayi Buenaventura edge Enrique Macarandang and Fay Guzman in a seesaw battle 21-19, 13-21, 21-17 while Abdualtif and Christian Magsino overcame Jhune Banzon and Vanessa Hinolan 21-20, 21-8.
In the quarter-finals, Jhune Banzon and Vanessa Hinolan thumped Anna de Guino and Val Canicosa 21-17, 21-10 while Rowell Antonio and Ayi Buenaventura outlasted Lourdes Orbase and Jeves Cruz 19-21, 21-8, 21-19.
Earlier, in the knock out matches, Anna de Guino and Val Canicosa hammered Rosalie Galvez and Joan Ilejay 21-13, 21-17 while Rosalie Galvez and Joan Ilejay tamed Bernard Victa and Raffy Ilejay 21-10, 21-17 and the tandem of Anna de Guino and Val Canicosa won by default against Marvin Maghirang and Raffy Ilejay.
Mixed Lower D
In Mixed Lower D, new names in the tournament took the highest honor when Romeo Trillanes and Danny Quindoza overwhelmed Leonor Laurito and Malou Lubaton 21-11, 21-18 while 2nd runners-up award went to May Comilang and Maricel Ilagan when they overcame Troy Alvarado and Liza Guillarte 21-13, 21-20.
The semifinals witnessed Leonor Laurito and Malou Lubaton thump Troy Alvarado and Liza Guillarte 21-17, 21-15 while Romeo Trillanes and Danny Quindoza overpowered May Comilang and Maricel Ilagan 21-14, 21-17.
The quarter-finals saw Troy Alvarado and Liza Guillarte hammer Sherlyn Gratil and Shelou 21-16, 21-18 while May Comilang and Maricel Ilagan crushed Elibeth Mendoza and Mechelle de Felipe 21-12, 21-13.
Earlier, in the knock-out games, Troy Alvardo and Liza Guillarte outlasted Joker and Lina Sedillo 21-20, 16-21, 21-13 while Elibeth Mendoza and Mechelle de Felipe edged Joker and Mel Queddeng 21-16, 10-21, 21-18.
On the other hand, the tandem of James Flores and Joshua Monongolh were made to sweat for every point before they could edge Nestor Matondo and Marc Rivaca for the crown in the one day tournament that took place. After Only a determined stand saw them take the title with a 21-20, 21-23, 22-20 victory.
Award Recipients:
Men’s A Doubles:
1 Edison Dela Cruz & Sharad Champions
2 James Flores & Ed Buensuceso 1st Runners Up
3 Nestor Matondo & Marianne Salunga 2nd Runners Up
Men’s B Doubles:
1 Sid Ladia & Dennis Fermo Champions
2 Joel Aguirre & Dennis Malay 1st Runners Up
3 Billy Ramos & Jet Adlawan 2nd Runners Up
Mix Higher C Doubles:
1 Noel Zagada & Ejay de Leon Champions
2 Ronald Brizuela & George Burgos 1st Runners Up
3 Romeo Tribunalo & Rico Gabuyo 2nd Runners Up
Mix Lower C Doubles:
1 Andrew Dalida & Albert Naguit Champions
2 Betchai Buensuceso & Edison Gaspar 1st Runners Up
3 Romeo Longalong & Regina Casano 2nd Runners Up
Mix Higher D Doubles:
1 Abdulatif & Christian Magsino Champion
2 Rowell Antonio & Ayi Buenaventura 1st Runners Up
3 Enrique Macarandang & Fay Guzman 2nd Runners Up
Mix Lower D Doubles:
1 Romeo Trillanes & Danny Quindoza Champions
2 Ma. Leonora Laurito & Marilou Lubaton 1st Runners Up
3 May Comilang & Maricel Ilagan 2nd Runners Up
One Day Tournament
1 James Flores & Joshua Monongolh Champions
2 Nestor Matondo & Marc Rivaca 1st Runners Up
FILBACK officials have announced that their Christmas Party will be on Dec 23 at the Hyatt Hotel. For tickets details contact the organizers.
FILBACK organizers would like to thank Khaled Abden — IT Manager of Eureka Trading Co W.L.L., Greg Blanco and Russel Skoyles of AMEC Oil and Gas Company, Vhennie Ilejay from United Interactive General Trading (UIGT), Rod Robles Director-Century Property, Subway Eat Fresh and Vangie Gernale of Western Union Money Transfer.
Thanks to FAST Tournament Director Chris Veitch for providing the scoresheets.