Asuncions are Back in the Finals

Asuncions are Back in the Finals

- Dan Rupinta

They’re Back!       After missing the 2006 and 2007 editions of this annual tournament due to their 2008 Olympics bid, Kennevic and Kennie Asuncion safely booked their place in the Mixed Doubles Open finals via a straight sets win over the unseeded Cheska Bermejo (College of St. Benilde/Powersmash) and Rodel Bartolome (PAF-PLDT-Allied-Astec), 21-14, 21-10.     It was total domination by the World Ranked #50 Mixed Doubles pairing from the start of the match until the end showing an array of power and amazing net shots.    “They’re a class on their own”, long-time badminton aficionado Mawi Acosta enthused.     The Asuncion siblings were the 2004 and 2005 Mixed Doubles Open champions. 

 

At the top half of the draw, No. 1 seed Arolas Amahit (Phil Army/Philstar) and Noelle Cassandra Ang-Siy (Mesuca-RLC) bowed out of the tourney after succumbing to the unseeded but talented teenagers, Ronel Estanislao and Malvinne Anne Venice Alcala of Allied-Astec-Club 650, 21-15, 21-12.

 

The Mixed Doubles Open Finals which is scheduled tomorrow, Nov 30 promises to be an exciting match-up between two of the best Mixed Doubles pairings in the country today.

 

Daymiel in 3 Finals, Again!

Ronald Daymiel of Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat / Davao City  became the first multi-Finalist of the tournament after winning all his Semifinal Assignments in the Seniors 19&Above Category.   In the Mixed Doubles, Ronald Daymiel and Ginalee Daymiel totally outclassed their opponents and booked a place in the Seniors 19&above XD finals for the 3^rd straight year.    Two hours after, he continued his winning form to oust Jaime Villanueva of Rally Point (21-13, 21-17) in the first Srs 19&above MS Semifinals.   To cap his SF campaign, Daymiel partnered with John Florendo of Cagayan de Oro City and upset the 2007 champions, Jonas and Jerome Serrano of FEU-Hooked (17-21, 21-15, 21-14) in the Srs 19&above MD event.

 

Other successful provincial entries were Annelyn Alba of the Iloilo Doctors College/Valiant Club Iloilo who upset the 2007 Runner-up, Rina Batuigas of the Philstar (21-19, 21-16) in the Srs 19&Above Ladies Singles and Ginalee Daymiel/Annabelle Sevilla of Sultan Kudarat / Cagayan de Oro City  who defeated Geryl Aliwate and Risa Valerio of the Unionbank Badminton Team, 21-19, 19-21, 22-20 in the Srs 19&above Ladies Doubles event.

Catch the Finals action tomorrow in all categories, Nov 30, 2008 starting at 9am.

The 2008 Yonex-Sunrise Philippines National Open Badminton Championships is presented by YONEX-SUNRISE and co-presented by PHITEN.  This event is also brought to us by:  Badminton Hub, Sportshub, My Shaldan, Makati Shangri-la, BSI Medicated Spray, Fish Designs, Potraitme.net, Tacorific, Potato Corner and our official & exclusive print partner, The Philippine Star.    The tournament runs from Nov 22-30, 2008