Great Job, RSC!

Young and energetic Salah Mauntol and Edcor Quiambao set a record in badminton tournament in Riyadh in Men's Double. Badminton is a sport that requires a great deal of stamina and physical fitness to endure and become a great player. And this was seen in the recent badminton tourney in Riyadh when Riyadh Shuttlers Club (RSC) demonstrated a surprising victory over other clubs in Riyadh. Edcor Quiambao-Salahuddin Mauntol tandem of Riyadh Shuttlers Club (RSC) made a name for themselves when they downed veterans Archie Bacani and Mar Libarato (BAddicts – Saudi) in the final round of Category D (Men’s Double) during the Kalayaan 2008 Ambassador’s Cup last February 22, 2008 at the Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City in Riyadh K.S.A. Edcor and Salah are both senior students of International Philippine School in Riyadh (IPSR) who made a record of being Champions successively in two different categories in less than a year. Last December 2007, after winning the Class E Men’s Double during the FBF – Inter-Regional Tournament, they were automatically elevated to play in Class D. Hence, last week’s tournament was their first rendezvous with a much higher class players. The final game last Friday had all the ingredients of a classic encounter made by the duo – rapid rallies, stunning smashes and deftly deceptive drop shots. Youthfulness proves to be a plus factor in playing badminton. Minutes before the Men’s Double final game, Edcor Quiambao competed in the semifinals of Mixed Double with RSCean Belen Cleto until the third set, but they lost to fellow RSCeans Danny Tenerife and Kristine Martinez. With only few minutes to rest and gained back the energy, Edcor and Salah were ready to face the final round in Men’s Double. There were some exciting rallies, which Edcor and Salah themselves would have been proud of, as the game rushed to a sure winning end. From the start, they have shown agility and perseverance to maintain a marginal lead until the last set. They carried their momentum on as they rushed to an early lead in the final game. It was a thrilling final match, watched by a very excited crowd (including other clubs) who all cheered for Salah and Edcor. As part of the rule of the tournament, Edcor and Salah will no longer compete in Class d, but instead they will be elevated to Class C next tournament. Other RSCeans who made their best shots were: 1. Noche Mabaning and Aileen Lejano (Women’s Double – Category C) – 1st Runner-up 2. Danny Tenerife and Kristine Martinez (Mixed Double – Category D) – 1st Runner-up Semi finalists: Noche Mabaning and Edward Padilla (Mixed Double – Category C) Rashid Kamlian and Aileen Lejano – (Mixed Double – Category C) Tom Ambagan and Edizon Quiambao (Men’s Double – Category D) Edcor Quiambao and Belen Cleto (Mixed Double – Category D) Quarterfinalists: Men’s Double (Category E) Peping Calauto and Christopher Luzana Erwin Serrano and Leo Obmerga Alexis Pasco and Joselito Taburnal Women’s Double (Category E) Eloisa Syfu and Irma Tenerife Mixed Double (Category E) Peping Calauto and Irma Tenerife Christopher Luzana and Eloisa Syfu Alexis Pasco and Sarah Bairulla Advance to Elimination Rounds: Men’s Double (Category D) Vince Mangawang and Bert Beja Jessie Villanueva and Leo Non Women’s Double (Category D) Richelle Pamfilo and Kristine Martinez Anita Fernandez and Belen Cleto Mixed Double (Category D) Richelle Pamfilo and Tom Ambagan Vince Mangawang and Anita Fernandez