The much-anticipated and closely-followed Negros Athletic Association (NAA) Badminton Tournament drew to a close June 1st at The Court Sports Club, with pulsating final clashes featuring a standout performance from Team PRIMA Philippines.
The tournament is part of a series of events that the NAA is doing for the second season of Amihan 2014.
All the eliminations and finals were played off in an all-doubles event which included the following categories: U16 Boys and Girls, Open (Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles), and the 30 and above Men’s and Women’s category.
For Renbert Gustilo, who came all the way from Manila to participate in the tournament, the experience was something special as he was able to meet new people who share the same passion he has for the sport.
According to him, winning the tournament was something he did not expect, as it was his first time to play with his partner, Kate Winiger, in a mixed doubles event.
“Winning means you”ºre willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else,” said Gustilo. He said the long travel was worth it because of the friends he made along the tournament.
Gustilo is a member of Team PRIMA Philippines, one of the elite badminton clubs in the country, and a varsity player from the Lyceum of the Philippines.
In the women’s doubles final, Kate Winiger and Sandrine So defeated the pair of Marsh Aguirre and Airene Palomares of Guihulngan 21-19, 10-21, 21-15, while in the men’s doubles final, Kenneth Arcenal and teammate Jeho Ramos defeated Cedric Manlosa and Paul Edward Bajas 21-23, 21-17, 21-17. In the mixed doubles category, the pair of Kate Winiger and teammate Renbert Caesar Gustilo, defeated Aliya Solana and Steve Bergantin from Cebu 13-21, 21-13, 21-15.
Moreover, the results of the finals for the age category were: U16 Boys Doubles Finals: Simon Luwalhati and Darwin Clavera from the municipality of Sta. Catalina defeated the pair of Arniel Blanco and Keith Lopez from Guihulngan 21-17, 21-17; U16 Girls Doubles Finals: Kee Shimae Dagonton and Chunie Narciso from FU won against the pair of Bea Esture and Eane Quiamco from Silliman University 15-21, 21-15, 21-10.
From a small tournament last year, the 2014 NAA Mayor’s Cup has attracted players not only from Dumaguete but also from neighboring cities like Bayawan, Guihulngan, La Libertad, Jimalalud, Dipolog, Sta. Catalina, and a national player from Manila. The NAA committee now envisions the next season to be much bigger given the success of this year’s tournament.
Meanwhile, other events in the NAA, which included futsal, volleyball, and sepak takraw, also had their championship games at Robinsons’ Place Dumaguete.
The sepak takraw championship match was an all-FU affair, with FU teams A and B competing for the gold in an electric final encounter. In the final match, FU team B held off a determined charge by FU team A, which was considered FU’s top team. The final match was a close fight but FU’s top team closed out the contest in third as they won the succeeding points, triumphing 3-2.
With the success of the Amihan 2, the NAA organizing committee hopes for a much bigger tournament in the coming season, which will be called the Habagat One happening in July 2014.
Since NAA is not school- based, the sports league encourages sports clubs in Negros Oriental to participate, as well as sports clubs in Negros Occidental. (Paul Bajas)
