KNOWN as the badminton capital in Misamis Oriental, the component city of Gingoog had been expected to deliver in the shuttlecock contest of the ongoing Paglaum MisOr Rise-CDO Cup Inter-LGU Sportsfest in Cagayan de Oro City.

But playing without the ace player in no less than Gingoog City Mayor Erick Cañosa, the Ginggog team has been relegated instead among the underdog squads.

YOUR CHANCE IS NIL. Organizers earlier told Gingoog badminton playing coach Tedd Javier after the ‘no show’ of a star player in Gingoog City Mayor Erick Cañosa. Photo by Lynde Salgados

“Malabo inyong chance gawas kon makalahos mo sa quarterfinals unya maka-reinforce na inyong mayor,” badminton tournament director Efren Pollentes told the Gingoog side.

Surprisingly, this was all the Gingoognons needed as the overweight yet spirited tandem of Charles Ian San Sebastian and Tedd ‘Tisoy’ Javier as well as their female counterparts outlasted Balingoan and Medina rivals to stay alive.

“Basketball gyod akong dula. Niwang pa kaayo ko sa una adtong varsity pa sa Corpus Christi high school. Nakatuon-tuon lang ko’g badminton,” Javier told Gold Star Daily.

The bespectacled Javier said he did all his best “kay maulaw ‘ming mayor nga ma-eliminate gusto gyod siya moapas para maka-compete. Agwantahon kon na lang kasakit sa akong kamot kay busy pa siya lakaw pang gobyerno.”

STUNNER. Beauteous City Councilor Imee Moreno is fast becoming the darling of the crowd in badminton events after leading Cagayan de Oro to a trouble-free finish in the preliminary games. Photo by Lynde Salgados

Spearheaded by the good-looking and skilled City Councilor Imee Moreno, the Cagayan de Oro team handily overpowered its preliminary opponents in the women’s category.

“Graceful and timing kaayo modula gisayon-sayon lang ang mga kontra,” one spectator said of the daughter of former Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno.

The badminton event is held alongside the chess competition at the Activity Center of the Ayala-Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro City.