Kalayaan 2008 Awarding Ceremony Highlights

Riyadh Shuttlers Club receiving the certificate of participation from the organizing committee The Kalayaan Cup 2008 was officially closed after the Awarding Ceremony held at the IPSR Multi Purpose Court last Thursday, 28 Feb. 2008. Although the plan was to hold the event at the Philippine Embassy, there was a last-minute change of venue due to the non-issuance of permit from the Ministry to allow visitors to enter the DQ premises on week-end. Attache Reynold Banda, Chairman of the event, acknowledged the relentless effort of the organizing committee for a successful undertaking that had raised funds of more than 3,000SR, which will be used to purchase airfare tickets for male distressed OFWs. Salahuddin Mauntol and Edcor Quiambao, champion in Class D Men's Double display thier winning trophies. On the other hand, Noche Mabaning, RSC President and co-chairman of the tournament, expressed her optimistic call for a united badminton clubs in Riyadh. Elite Badminton Club and Riyadh Expats Shuttlers Club were declared as Champions of this year’s Kalayaan tournament. FOR MORE PICTURES, CLICK HERE

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

Good start for RSC in Kalayaan Cup 08

The rigorous preparation and right pairing of Riyadh Shuttlers Club (RSC) members made a good take-off in the on-going Kalayaan 2008 (Ambassador’s Cup) held at the SULTAN Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City Activity Gym from February 14-15 and 21-22, 2008. In the Category E Divisions (Men’s Double), 3 out of 5 entries advance to the next elimination round. Peping Calauto/Chris Luzana, Alexis Pasco/Joe Taburnal and Leo Obmerga/Erwin Serrano beat their respective rivals though they were first-timers in badminton tournaments. Likewise, the duo tandem of Eloisa Syfu and Irma Tenerife in the Women’s Double (Category E) pounded their opponents from Baddicts-Saudi. In the Mixed Doubles (Class E), 3 out of 5 entries made it to the next round. Peping Calauto/Irma Tenerife, Chris Luzana/Eloisa Syfu, Alexis Pasco/Sarah Bairulla defeated their opponents. In Level D, the tandems of Vince Mangawang/Bert Beja, Jessie Villanueva/Leo Non, Edcor Quiambao/Salah Mauntol and Tom Ambagan/Edizon Quiambao in Men’s Double put RSC in the top slots. While Belen Cleto/Anita Fernandez and Ritchelle Pamfilo/Cristine Martinez in Women’s Double were able to defeat their opponents effortlessly. Also, in Mixed Double Level D, Vince Mangawang/Nitz Fernandez, Danny Tenerife/Christine Martinez and Edcor Quiambao/Belen Cleto completed the victory of RSC. Over-all, RSC won 16 out of 22 games in the First Elimination Round. For more pictures, click HERE