KIMONI TOUR DRAWS UNEXPECTED TURN-OUT IN PAMPANGA LEG

February 21, 2006 By Emma F. Mina A surprising turn-out of close to five hundred shuttlers from Pampanga, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cagayan, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac trooped to Smash Power Badminton Center in San Fernando Pampanga to partake in the action caucus of the first leg of the Kimoni Badminton Tour 2006 last February 18 and 19, 2006. The expected high level of intensity and competitiveness was seen in the championship match of the level one of men's division played by Jainor Dizon and Francis Santiago of Pampanga against Rem Martin and Julius Azor from Malabon City. The match was a volley of points racing close until the final score. Home court did not prove to be an advantage when Martin and Azor prevailed ending the cardiac, well-applauded match at 15-9, 17-16. In the top level of ladies' division, the tandem of Ann Mendiola and Maya Nunag, however, showed their heroics for the Pampangueno's cause when they crushed their opponents, Jen Narciso and Maria Joy Marcelino, wIth a decisive win of 15-7, 15-7. The mixed level event proved to be an exciting event with a pair from Metro Manila, Nitrie Espiritu and Joy Jocson clashing against Michael Carlos and Apple Rodriguez of Lubao, Pampanga in the finals. "I am so happy", exclaimed Carlos who played with a new partner. "This is my first time to win in the championships in a badminton tournament here in Pampanga that was conducted by organizers from Manila," Carlos added after clinching the crown at 15-12, 15-6. Randolph Balatbat and Lourdes Gaspar were formidable at the top ladder of the Juniors' 15 years old and below event. The young pair breezed through the round robin finals clobbering with relative ease their equally energetic opponents who tried to put up a good fight. Contenders had to bow down eventually to the consistent play of Stanley Macaspac and Sheila Pascual who did a sweep in the Juniors' 16 to 20 years old event. An applause of approval were given to mixed doubles players, Merwin Lacson and Jane Guidote, when they were handed the five thousand peso-worth of Kimoni Gift Certificate as the Best Pair in Kimoni Uniform. The tandem was visible in all their matches flaunting with athletic flair a complete Kimoni uniform from shoes, apparel to badminton rackets. The Pampanguenos did not expect to have a grand treat when several pairs of celebrities tried to outdo each other. Patrick Dela Rosa and Jenny Esplana, AJ Dee and Belen Lim, Steve and Princess, Bong and Mossi Ravena, Isabel Granada-Aguas and Jericho Aguas, Ynez Veneracion and Bryan Payte, Maricel Morales and Froilan Tadeo, Glydel Mercado and Emilio Garcia proved to the crowd that celebrities excel not only in the silver screen but in the badminton scene as well. Ynez Veneracion and Bryan Payte stood out when they beat AJ Dee and Belen Lim in the finals. Badminton aficionados will once again see action on March 4 and 5, 2006 when Kimoni Philippines, together with MindWorks who organizes the nationwide competition, heads off to Bacolod City at Shuttlers' Haven Badminton Courts. "Those who joined the Pampanga leg but did not win are still invited to try their luck by joining other provincial legs or the Manila leg," explained Gary Tulio of MindWorks. Level winners of each leg will advance to the Kimoni Battle of the Champions that will be held on July at the Market! Market! Activity Center in Fort Bonifacio, Makati where a pot of more than one million pesos that include cash prizes, commemorative, high-end Pinoy Power 888 badminton rackets and bags await the deserving winners.