KUWAIT CITY, Aug 10: Erwin Mercado and Windrow “Rox” Bugas were showing the way to the others as they were joint leaders in the senior-most category after the first day of Filipino Badminton Club in Kuwait’s (FILBACK) Reggie Ramos Cup, at the Handball Gym, Kazma Adailiya, Friday.
The tournament has been named after Ramos, one of the advisers of the organization and member of the Alpha Phi Omega Kuwait Alumni Association (APO KAA-153) Kuwait Chapter that has dedicated itself to strictly implementing its motto — “Leadership, Friendship and Service”
This event would not been possible without the efforts of FILBACK Founding Chairman Caloy Abesamis along with FILBACK Director Leo Regner, FILBACK Tournament Director Ed Buensuceso, Training Director Renato Calanog, Alpha Phi Omega Kuwait Alumni Association (APO KAA-153) Kuwait Chapter and all the office bearers who put in a determined effort to consistently deliver non-stop competition for the members of both the organizations.
The tournament involves all the competitors playing with different partners throughout the league phase of the event before permanent pairs are made in the knockout stage.

Men’s Higher A
In Men’s Higher A, Erwin Mercado and Windrow “Rox” Bugas were sharing the driver’s seat with 232 points each after completing 5 games while Nestor Farinas and Edison dela Cruz who had finished 4 games were on their trail with 178 and 174 points respectively.
This week’s matches saw Michael del Pilar and Mathew waste no effort to beat Harinath Gadikota and Srinivas in two easy sets 21-11, 21-16 while Mathew and Harinath hammered Srinivas and Michael 21-18, 21-19, Roy Satorre and Edison dela Cruz overcame Ed Buensuceso and Bernard Nunez 21-20, 21-18, Shrinivas and Edison outlasted Mathew and Jess Sibunga 17-21, 21-10, 21-16, Harinath and Erwin Mercado edged Edison and Rox Bugas 18-21, 21-18, 21-19 and Erwin with Rox outclassed Mathew and Srinivas 21-20, 21-16.
Meanwhile, Rox and Edison blended well on the courts and thumped Roy Satorre and Jess in back to back sets 21-17, 21-17 while Nestor Farinas and Erwin brushed aside Bernard and Harinath 21-17, 21-16, Roy and Bernard overpowered Ed and Edison 21-14, 21-18, Erwin and Michael thrashed Bernard and Nestor 21-13, 21-15, Erwin and Leo Regner tamed Roy and Nestor 21-13, 21-18 and Nestor with Rox overwhelmed Leo and Joker 21-11, 21-12.

Initial Standings
Rank Men’s Higher A Points
1 Erwin Mercado 232
2 Windrow Bugas 232
3 Nestor Farinas 178
4 Edison Dela Cruz 174
5 Michael Del Pilar 173
6 Mathew 172
7 Harinath Gadikota 153
8 Bernard Nunez 149
9 Srinivas Srindara 143
10 Roy Satore 131
11 Jess Sibunga 109
12 Ed Buensuceso 106
13 Leo Regner 73

Men’s Lower A
Marianne Salunga is the only lady who has qualified to be part of Men’s Lower A after displaying her skills and proving that she is as competitive as all the other players in this class. On Friday, she showed why she is part of this category as she was topping the class with 311 points from 7 games while after having played the same number of matches in 2nd place was Donald Briones who had 282 points. Denis Malay was 3rd with 220 points from 5 games.

Denis Malay and Renato Calanog got off to a good start when they hammered Majunath and Joel Aguirre in 2 easy sets 21-11, 21-16 while Denis M with Manjunath overwhelmed Joel Aguirre and Renato Calanog 21-19, 21-10, Junie Gratil and Loui Manabat overcame Mark Arroyo and Rodel Apepe 21-19, 21-20, Denis M and Junie pressed on the accelerator and edged Rodel and Donald Briones 16-21, 21-14, 21-15, Marianne and Anno “Da General” Borbe blended well on the courts and outlasted Joel and Donald in a seesaw battle 21-19, 19-21, 21-13, Denis Fermo and Marianne thumped Anno and Joel 21-17, 21-17 and the tandem of Denis F and Donald outclassed Junie and Manjunath 21-17, 21-15.
On the other hand, Junie and Mariane beat James and Denis M 16-21, 21-16, 21-15 while Denis M and Marianne outlasted James and Anno 16-21, 21-8, 21-6, Mark and Allan overcame Loui and James 21-20, 21-17, Mark and Anno edged Allan Sayoto and Loui 21-13, 14-21, 21-15, Allan and Rodel beat Renato and Denis F 13-21, 21-18, 21-19, Anno and Manjunath outlasted Renato and Rodel 10-21, 21-18, 21-18, Rodel and Marianne overwhelmed Donald and James 21-10, 21-14, Donald and Renato brushed aside Marianne and James 21-17, 21-18 and the pair of Marianne and Donald tamed James and Joker 21-15, 21-19.

Initial Standings
Rank Men’s Lower A Points
1 Marianne Salunga 311
2 Donald Briones 282
3 Denies Malay 220
4 Nato Calanog 208
5 Rodel Apepe 206
6 James Briones 193
7 Anno Borbe 187
8 Denis Fermo 182
9 Mark Arroyo 169
10 Junie Gratil 166
11 Louie Manabat 165
12 Manjunath 151
13 Allan Sayoto 128
14 Joel Aguirre 124

Men’s Higher and Lower B
Mark Rivaca collected the highest number of points in Men’s Higher B with 242 from 5 games while Lawrence Viernes with the same number of games was placed 2nd so far with 190 points and in 3rd place after 4 matches was Paul Lozano with 182 points.
In the lower category of the same class, all the top 3 players had completed 4 games, but Noel Zagada had scored landslide to go on top of the lists with 192 points while 12 points behind is Gomer Imperial with 180 points and Sid Ladia 3rd with 168 points.
This week’s games witnessed Erikson Venturina and Amber Rubin press on the accelerator in the last two sets to edge Arnold Abordo and John Rubin 17-21, 21-12, 21-14 while Paul Lozano and Mark Rivaca overwhelmed Rene Anglita and Rey “Smokey” Orje 21-16, 21-19, Billy Ramos and Arnold Abordo outlasted Erikson and Marlon Soriano 7-21, 21-15, 21-18, Mark and Rey brushed aside Lawrence and Rene 21-9, 21-19, Marlon and Arnold beat Erikson and Paul 21-18, 11-21, 21-19, and Lawrence with Mark outclassed Rey and Billy 21-12, 21-19.

In the other games, the tandem of Marlon and Paul hammered Rene and Erikson 21-13, 21-13 while Mark and Arnold edged Marlon and Jet Adlawan 13-21, 21-19, 21-10, Jet and Paul outlasted Lawrence and Rey 17-21, 21-19, 21-10, Lawrence and Jet worked hand in hand and wasted no effort to thrash Billy and Rene 21-5, 21-16, Mark and Jet overwhelmed Lawrence and Billy 21-15, 21-11, Noel Zagada and Mamon Askar thumped Nick Niegas and Alfred Magcanam 21-12, 21-16 and the pair of Sid Ladia and Gomer Imperial overcame the real life pair of Amber and John Rubin 21-20, 21-15.
On the other hand, Alfred and Noel outclassed Mamon and Nick 21-15, 21-16 while Gomer and Ryan Coronado outlasted Sid and Nick 21-20, 17-21, 21-16, Noel and John tamed Mamon and Amber 21-17, 21-13, Ryan and Sid brushed aside Alfred and Edison 21-16, 21-18, Noel and Edison edged Nick and John 21-12, 19-21, 21-10, Ryan and Amber outlasted Mamon and Gomer 16-21, 21-17, 21-17, Alfred and Sid beat Edison and Cheryl Manaytay 11-21, 21-11, 21-15 and Gomer with Cheryl crushed Edison and Ryan 21-12, 21-14.

Initial Standings
Rank Men’s Higher B Points
1 Marc Rivaca 242
2 Lawrence Viernes 190
3 Paul Lozano 182
4 Jet Adlawan 173
5 Marlon Soriano 162
6 Arnold Abordo 161
7 Rey Orje 152
8 Erikson Venturina 147
9 Billy Ramos 120
10 Rene Anglita 110
11 Robert Gubat 0

Rank Men’s Lower B Points
1 Noel Zagada 192
2 Gomer Imperial 180
3 Sid Ladia 168
4 Ryan Coronado 160
5 Alfred Magcanam 154
6 John Rubin 151
7 Mamon Askar 149
8 Amber Rubin 149
9 Edison Gaspar 149
10 Renato Niegas 127
11 Cheryl Manaytay 86
12 Cesar Isidro 0

Men’s Higher C
The top three players in Men’s Higher C had completed 5 games so far but Jame Aguinaldo was leading with 240 points while 60 points behind was Romeo Longalong with 180 points and Beck Orje third with 174 points.
In the day’s games, James Aguinaldo and Joel dela Cruz wasted no time to thrash Romeo Longalong and Betchai Buensuceso 21-13, 21-8 while Betchai and James overwhelmed Beck Orje and Danny Quindoza 21-14, 21-13, Danny and Joel dela Cruz brushed aside Romeo Beck 21-12, 21-18, James and Romeo outclassed Betchai and Joel 21-13, 21-11 but the pair of Danny and Romeo were made to sweat before they could outlast Beck and James 15-21, 21-16, 21-19.
Meanwhile,Beck and Joel edged Betchai and Danny 21-18, 13-21, 21-17 while Maan Diaz and James Aguinaldo crushed Keesha Ng and Martin Vidal 21-13, 21-10, Maan and Martin outlasted Keesha and Romeo 21-18, 15-21, 21-16 and the girl power of Maan and Keesha beat Martin and Beck 21-18, 10-21, 21-14.


Initial Standings
Rank Men’s Higher C Points
1 James Aguinaldo 240
2 Romeo Longalong 180
3 Beck Orje 174
4 Joel Dela Cruz 166
5 Danny Quindoza 157
6 Maan Diaz 134
7 Beth Buensoseso 133
8 Keesha Ng 102
9 Martin Vidal 100

Men’s Lower C
Sunny Rae Lascuna, who had finished 7 games, was in the driver’s seat in Men’s Lower C with 318 points while Andrei Varilla had compiled 268 points so far in 6 games for second place and with the same number of matches Jovie Vidal and Gigi Imperalde were sharing 3rd place with 212 points.
The tandem of Albert Naguit and Andrei Varilla put in their best effort to edge Frank James and Gigi Imperalde 17-21, 21-18, 21-19 while Andrei and Jovie Vidal outlasted Albert and Sunny Rae Lascuna in a seesaw battle 21-16, 20-21, 21-19, Gigi and Andrei blended well on the courts to hammer Jovie and Frank James 21-14, 21-11, Sunny Rae and Frank beat Jovie and Gigi 21-20, 14-21, 21-17 and Sunny Rae with Gigi overcame Albert and Jovie 21-20, 21-16.
Meanwhile, Sunny Rae and Andrei brushed aside Albert and Frank 21-6, 21-13, Sunny Rae and Regina Casano thumped Albert and Gigi 21-20, 21-14, Regina and Andrei outclassed Sunny Rae and Sang Piscasio 21-16, 21-20, Sunny Rae and Jovie hammered Sang and Regina 21-15, 21-14 and the tandem of Sang and Joker overpowered Regina and Jovie 21-11, 21-10.

Initial Standings
Rank Men’s Lower C Points
1 Sunny Rae Lascuna 318
2 Andrei Varilla 268
3 Jovie Vidal 212
4 Gigi Imperialde 212
5 Regina Casano 150
6 Albert Nuguit 137
7 Frank James 126
8 Sang Piscasio 115

Mixed Higher C
In Mixed Higher C class most of the players had completed 4 games but Ruth Cayomo and Biberly Malvar were close at the top in 1st and 2nd place with 176 and 175 points respectively while newcomer Ranilo Fuentes was 3rd with 166 points.
This week’s matches saw Biberly Malvar and Mark Delen outlast Ayi Buenaventura and Fay Guzman 14-21, 21-12, 21-13 while Cathy Manzano and JC Futol edged Maridel Estinozo and Fay 21-15, 16-21, 21-15, Mark Delen and Ruth Cayomo beat Fay and Ayi 21-17, 18-21, 21-12, Sandy Payade and Maridel blended well on the courts and wasted no time to brush aside Ranilo Fuentes and JC in back to back sets 21-17, 21-17, Ranilo and Ruth overwhelmed Maricris Malilay and Cathy 21-13, 21-18 and the pair of Fay and Biberly thrashed JC and Maridel 21-9, 21-9.
On the other hand, Cathy and Ayi hammered Jun Banson and Maricris 21-13, 21-11 while Sandy and Ruth edged Mark and Ranilo 21-18, 15-21, 21-19, Biberly and Maridel thumped Jun and Cathy 21-19, 21-15, Ayi and Ruth outlasted Fay and JC 8-21, 21-20, 21-19 and the pair of Jun and Ranilo beat Mark and Sandy in a close 3-set game 21-20, 18-21, 21-18.

Initial Standings
Rank Mixed Higher C Points
1 Ruth Cayomo 176
2 Biberly Malvar 175
3 Ranilo Fuentes 166
4 Mark Delen 163
5 Ayi Buenaventura 162
6 Fay Guzman 160
7 Cathy Manzano 157
8 Maridel Estinozo 154
9 Jc Futol 134
10 Sandy Payade 131
11 Jun Banson 100
12 Maricris Malilay 55
Cedric Isidro 0
Amor Llenes 0

Mixed Lower C
In Mixed Lower C, all the top players had finished 4 games with Val Canicosa in the lead with 168 points, Jennifer Brosas behind by 3 points for a 165 total in 2nd place and Elibeth Mendoza was 3rd so far with 164 points.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Jennifer Brosas and Jennifer Regalado outlasted Bessie de Chavez and Elibeth Mendoza 17-21, 21-4, 21-9 while Maricel Ilagan and Mary Grace Quizon edged Cherry An Aurelio and Leonor Laurito 21-9, 16-21, 21-17, Elibeth and Jennifer R thumped Bessie and Jessa Piol 21-19, 21-13, Jennifer B and Vanessa Hinolan beat Leonor and Maricel 17-21, 21-13, 21-12 and the pair of Jessa and Val Canicoso edged Cherry An and Mary Grace 17-21, 21-13, 21-19.

The other matches witnessed Elibeth and Vanessa work well on the courts and beat Bessie and Jennifer R 20-21, 21-13, 21-11 while Jennifer B and Val outlasted Maricel and Mayeen “FILBACK Mommy” Abesamis 21-17, 19-21, 21-12, Jessa and Marilyn Miguel overcame Mary Grace and Vanessa 21-11, 21-20, Leonor and Val overpowered Cherry An and Marilyn 21-11, 21-17, Leonor and Mary Grace edged Bessie and Val 16-21, 21-10, 21-13, Elibeth and Marilyn outlasted Jessa and Maricel 6-21, 21-17, 21-14 and the pair of Marilyn and Vanessa pressed on the accelerator in the last two sets to beat Cherry An and Jennifer 12-21, 21-16, 21-18.

Initial Standings
Rank Mixed Lower C Points
1 Val Canicoso 168
2 Jennifer Brosas 165
3 Elibeth Mendoza 164
4 Leonor Laurito 163
5 Marilyn Miguel 162
6 Jessa Piol 159
7 Vanessa Hinolan 157
8 Mary Grace Quizon 155
9 Cherry An Aurelio 145
10 Maricel Ilagan 143
11 Bessie De Chavez 128
12 Jennifer Regalado 124

Men’s Higher D
In Men’s Higher D, three newcomers were dominating the category. Allan Fabunan led the category after completing the highest number of games (eight) for 284 points while Glen Fabunan had played 6 games for 260 points and Joey Maravillas was 3rd with 212 points from 5 games.
Meanwhile, Glen and Allan Fabunan blended well on the courts and edged Joey Maravillas and Joel Gonzaga 13-21, 21-10, 21-14 while Joey and Jaime Berjes were made to sweat before they could outlast Allan and Joel 18-21, 21-14, 21-20, Glen and Jaime beat Allan and Joey when they pressed on the accelerator in the last two sets to win 19-21, 21-16, 21-14 and Allan with Joey hammered Joel and Jaime in back to back sets 21-18, 21-18.
On the other hand, Glen and Joey thumped Allan and Jaime 21-8, 21-12 while Jaime and Glen edged Allan and Joel 14-21, 21-18, 21-14, Mark Gandia (joker) and Allan outlasted Joen Fuego (joker) 21-8, 20-21, 21-12 and Glen with Joey Maravillas (joker) beat Allan and Carlos Porlares (joker) 17-21, 21-14, 21-9.

Initial Standings
Rank Men’s Higher D Points
1 Allan Fabunan 284
2 Glen Fabunan 260
3 Joey Maravillas 212
4 Jaime Berjes 180
5 Joel Gonzaga 147
6 Raffy Elijay 142

Men’s Lower D
New faces registered their names at the top of the lists in Men’s Lower D with Carlos Porlares taking the driver’s seat with 200 points. Mark Gandia was 14 points behind with 186 in second place and Rommel Torres closely on his trail with 184 points in third place.
The tandem of Rommel Torres and Sherwin Perez were off to a good start when they overwhelmed Joen Fuego and Mark Gandia 21-17, 21-19 while Carlos Porlares and Rommel edged Joen and Sherwin 21-16, 13-21, 21-17, Rico Eustaquio and Mark brushed aside Carl Alison and Joen 21-16, 21-13 and the tandem of Rommel and Carl outlasted Rico and Carlos 13-21, 21-18, 21-19.
In the other matches, Rommel and Mark overcame Carlos and Sherwin 21-20, 21-19 while Raffy Ilejay and Sherwin tamed Joen and Rico 21-12, 21-20, Raffy and Mark outclassed Carl and Rico 21-18, 21-9 and Raffy with Joen edged Carlos and Carl 20-21, 21-7, 21-16.

Initial Standings
Rank Men’s Lower D Points
1 Carlos Porlares 200
2 Mark Gandia 186
3 Rommel Torres 184
4 Sherwin Perez 177
5 Joen Fuego 177
6 Carl Alison Talampas 177
7 Rico Eustaquio 149

Ladies Higher D
All the top three players in Ladies Higher D had finished 5 games but Princess Joy Cabanesas took the lead with 237 points while FILBACK Directress Nineth Regner was 2nd best with 215 points and Kristine Marie Bernaldez in 3rd place so far with 194 points.
This week’s games saw Jeves Cruz and Kristine Marie Bernaldez worked well on the courts to outlast Princess Joy Cabanesas and Jing Maghirang 21-12, 16-21, 21-16 while Jeves and Princess brushed aside Kristine and Shelou Delen 21-17, 21-15, Shelou and Princess crushed Aurora Pacheco and Jing 21-10, 21-9 and the pair of Kristine and Jing edged Jeves and Journet 13-21, 21-15, 21-20.
Meanwhile, Nineth Regner and Kristine thumped Journet and Shelou 21-16, 21-18 while Vhennie Ilejay and Princess overpowered Nineth and Jing 21-15, 21-17, Princess and Nineth thrashed Shelou and Vhennie 21-8, 21-9, Nineth and Vhennie bounced back to edge Journet and Jeves 14-21, 21-16, 21-20 and Nineth with Journet overwhelmed Vhennie and Kristine 21-19, 21-9.

Initial Standings
Rank Ladies Higher D Points
1 Princes Joy Cabanesas 237
2 Nineth Regner 215
3 Kristine Marie Bernaldez 194
4 Jeves Cruz 175
5 Jorneth Gonzales 167
6 Shelou Delen 133
7 Jing Maghirang 130
8 Vheni Ilejay 128

Ladies Lower D
Che Fabunan, who had completed 5 games, was comfortably sitting on top of the lists with 226 points while Restine Rose Lumino and Mechelle de Felipe had played 4 matches each and compiled 199 and 184 points respectively to place 2nd and 3rd.
In thisweeks games, Che Fabunan and Marie Shiela Gutierrez outclassed Marilyn Agustin and Maria Fe Bagasao 21-17, 21-18 while Jorneth Gonzales and Maria Fe hammered Marilyn and Che 21-18, 21-16, Mechelle de Felipe and Marilyn brushed aside Marie Shiela and Maria Fe 21-16, 21-17, Ruth Domingo and Che tamed Restine Rose Lumino and Maria Shiela 21-13, 21-15 and the girl power of Restine Rose and Maria Shiela overcame Grace Ann Daraug and Ruth 21-7, 21-14.
Meanwhile, Restine and Grace Ann outlasted Aurora and Ruth 16-21, 21-15, 21-11 while Mechelle and Aurora thumped Ruth and Maria Shiela 21-17, 21-13, Che and Mechelle edged Restine and Maria Fe 21-19, 19-21, 21-8, Grace Ann and Mechelle beat Aurora and Marilyn 21-12, 19-21, 21-11 and Che with Restine brushed aside Aurora and Grace Ann 21-12, 21-20.

Initial Standings
Rank Ladies Lower D Points
1 Che Fabunan 226
2 Restine Rose Lumino 199
3 Mechelle De Felipe 184
4 Marilyn Agustin 151
5 Maria Fe Bagasao 147
6 Aurora Pacheco 146
7 Maria Shiela Gutierrez 141
8 Grace Ann Daraug 137
9 Ruth Domingo 133
FILBACK organizers would like to thank Khaled Abden— IT Manager of Eureka Trading Co WLL, 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 for supporting the tournament.