Barrientos, namayani sa MVP badminton

Tinalo ni Catherine Joyce Barrientos ng Notre Dame Kidapawan ang teammate na si Regina Glaze Neri, 21-
14, 21-10, upang maangkin ang girls’ under-15 title sa Mindanao Leg ng MVP National Juniors Badminton
Championship na ginanap sa Koronadal City, South Cotabato.

Kasunod nito ay nakipagtambalan si Barrientos kay Neri sa Under-15 doubles para gapiin sina Karylle Kaye
Molina ng Talomo Anchors of Davao City at Maxeene Renee Olango ng Cagayan de Oro Shuttle Buster, 21-9,
21-10, para sa ikalawa niyang titulo.

Pinataob naman ni Ethan Dupet ng Tacurong City ng Battledore Team si Kent Joshua Cruz ng MRBBC
D’Smashers, 21-18, 21-16, para makopo ang boys’ U-13 championship, ang kanyang ikalawa sa 4- na araw
na torneo na inorganisa ng Forthright Events na kinatawan ni tournament director Yoly Araullo.

Naunang nagwagi si Redmond Paul Rivera ng Panabo Smashers Club, 21-9, 21-12, sa finals ng U-11 division.

Sa girls’ U-13 singles, iginupo ni Maxene Renee Olango ng CDO Shuttle Busters si Lady Zazhca Tuario ng
Metro Kidapawan, 17-21, 21-15, 21-11, para sa titulo, habang dinaig ni Althea Dawn Ocampo ng Gingoog City
si Andre Alexis Macalaglag ng CBDD Smashers of Mati, 21-19, 21-14, para magkampeon sa girls’ U-11.

Ang iba pang mga nanalo sa torneo ay sina Denis Ben Felipe at Johnyl Mialda (U-15 doubles), Ron Danelle
Cabalquinto at Arthur Samuel Gavarra Salvado (U-17 doubles), Karylle Kaye Molina at Jennifer Helyn
Saladaga (U-17 doubles), Jervin Dyler Carlos at Josh Olin Defensor (U-19 doubles), Jiselle Joy Capillo at
Marinel Diansay (U-19 doubles), Dennis Ben Felipe, at Camille Buagas (U-15 mixed). (Marivic Awitan)

Castil, Capuyan tandem whips Baybay City

Leyte got a big catch of the day after bagging a final slot through out-classing the “giants” in badminton.

The tandem of Carl Vianney Castil and Alpha Nido Capuyan played perfect game in thrashing defending
champion Baybay City, 21-9, 21-17, in the Badminton City, April 10.

Castil and Capuyan showed tremendous firepower unloading series of smash and drop shots in drubbing
the first seeded duo of Angelo Valenzona and Jevo Cabras of Baybay City in two straight sets.

With the win, Leyte will be playing against Ormoc City, who defeated Eastern Samar in the other Final
Four Match.

“Playing in the Palaro is our greatest goal and motivation,” said Castil who is a Grade 10 completer at Dulag
National High School.

Castil and Capuyan, who were one-hour fresh from the disposing Tacloban City, 21-11, 21-14, in the
quarterfinals, picked up from where they left off opening a 7-3 lead against their opponents.

Baybay City closed the gap at 5-7 as Valenzona delivered a smash.

Inspired by the cheers of their supporters composed mostly of their parents and friends from their
hometown, Leyte answered back with a commanding 9-2 blast to have a 16-7 advantage enroute to the first
set triumph.

With great desire to force a decision set, Baybay City tightened their defense and unfolded better
offensive attacks for 3-2 lead in the second set.
 A nip and tuck affair ensued in the next plays, but Leyte got the lead back at 16-10.

Valenzona and Cabras responded with a fight back but they were just limited to a 7-4 rally and moved
within 17-20.

Castil executed a crosscourt smash to seal the victory to the delight of the crowd.