GETTING a perfect tandem that combined the small David and towering Goliath has catapulted the Provincial Governor’s Office-backed Cluster 1 Blue Eagles to the women’s doubles badminton final in the ongoing Civil Service Anniversary Sportsfest 2024 at the Capitol ground, Cagayan de Oro City.
Small but terrible Barbette Chavez Roa, competing this time around with newcomer Shielalyne Ratunil Villanueva — who is a fierce-smashing five-foot-seven tall — ran roughshod on every opponent to finish the elimination round unbeaten at 9-0.
On Wednesday afternoon’s semifinals, Roa and Villanueva left nothing to chance against the Sangguniang Panlalawigan bets from Cluster 2 to deliver a sweeping 2-0 win and keep their immaculate record.
Veteran badminton player Jessica Nang Inday’ Galindo, who is now 53 years old, played alongside the youthful Karla Jael Macalos for Cluster 6 with much courage and determination to also hurdle their semifinal assignment and earn the right to challenge the PGO wards of Special Assistant to the Governor (SAG) VirgeliaBing’ Dumadag in the final.
“She still has the moves pero lahi na gyod kon magka-edaran na. She used to dominate in the past, but now more on leisure and entertainment na lang iyang participation. I’m so happy that her team reached the championship round,” Jessica’s better half in legendary basketball sharpshooter Rosalino `Nonoy’ Galindo told Gold Star Daily.
In men’s doubles, the tandem of Paul Gingging and Levi Rana of the Cluster 3 Black Panthers and the equally strong pair of Philip Narte and Andy Obedencio of Cluster 6 White Knights are favored to hurdle their respective semifinal matches, still on progress as of this writing.
