Koh, Paul and Raj big winners in 4th UBC event

Rinson Koh Liang Pheng (PBC/ASEAN) from Riyadh captured the men’s singles Class A championship beating veteran Suheimi Leong (MBC) in two sets in the 4th Ultimate Badminton Challenge: Super Challenge 2012 badminton tournament. The match was close at the start of each set but Koh overpowered Suheimi at the final stretch winning by 21-14, 21-16. Koh showed his precision and skills to win the most coveted event in the UBC series. He received a trophy and a return air ticket courtesy of SriLankan Airlines. In what proved to be a grudge match, the pair of Arun Paul and Vinu Raj (Jeddah Shuttles Best) pulled a big surprise by winning the men’s doubles Class A championship from their perennial opponent Rico Gonzales and Mitchie Cruz (Zwoosh-JBC). Considered as one of the epic games in the series, the pairs exchanged fantastic shots delighting the crowd, as the see-sawing battle stretched to a third set with Paul-Raj ultimately prevailing by 22-20, 16-21, 21-18. In other hotly contested championship matches, the men’s singles Class B final between Mohammed Taufi (Smash Arabia) and Khent Acosta (Fleeq) was a battle of youth, skill and stamina as both players exchanged lung-busting smashes and drop shots leading to a retirement by Acosta due to exhaustion in the third set at 15-9 with Taufik leading. The men’s doubles Class B also was one of the most applauded matches in the series with Rasika Perera and Mohammed Taufik (Smash Arabia) putting down the never-say-die duo of Jun Cabradilla-Khent Acosta (Smaikers-Fleeq). In the final set, Perera-Taufik showed graceful and precise court rotation powered by the pair’s impeccable smashes which remained unchecked by Cabradilla-Acosta. Game scores : 21-17, 13-21, 21-8 with Perera-Taufik bringing home the trophy and cash prize. The audience cheered their favorite teams in the 22 championship events leading to the closing ceremony where even more surprises awaited the lucky participants, who brought home goodies from Avon and branded watches sponsored by Friends of Smash Arabia. Also, the organizer of UBC 4 raffled off a round trip ticket that was won by Suzette De Silva of Riyadh Expatriate Shuttlers Club (RESC). Gracing the closing ceremony was SriLankan Airlines Country Manager Sujeewa Rodrigo, who handed over the return air tickets , trophies and cash prizes to the champions and runners-up and lucky participant assisted by Smash Arabia Chairman Alan Exevea with the other officers and members of the club. Exevea thanked all the participants and sponsors and hinted that there will be a 5th UBC in the coming months. Organizing this annual event is the Smash Arabia Badminton Club, one of the biggest and most competitive clubs in Jeddah producing Champions among its membership. In addition to Exevea the other club officers are Romy Capili VC Internal Affairs, Bob Fernandez VC External Affairs, Board Members Roland Santos, Aldrin Medina, Candy Exevea accountant and Abby Asiatico treasurer. This year’s event is sponsored by Pepsi (SIPCO), represented by Ahmed Al Mehelmy, executive director for Sales and Marketing. Minor sponsors are Avon, SriLankan Airlines, Jollibee, Kustom Arts (Leo Fajardo), Inihaw Kamayan Grill House (Rhic Briones), Shatira Restaurants (Romy Sumayao) and Friends of Smash Arabia. Selected results: Men’s — singles C champion M. Melendrez (Fleeq), runner-up G. Tissington (KAUST); singles D champion M. Al Nagri (JSB), runner-up O. Reyes; doubles C champion K. Solano-A. Abdulsalam (BDP-JBC), runner-up B. Fernandez-M. Nadeem (Smash); doubles D champion D. Razonable-N. Hornillosa (Smash-EBC), runner-up J. Mallari-R. Sembrano (Falcons); doubles E champion C. Corpuz-G. Caberos (Smash), runner-up O. Jubay-S, Sampayan (Fleeq); doubles F champion R. Yana-R. Atis (EBC-JED), runner-up M. Martin-R. Dela Cruz Women’s — singles C champion Y. Yusikee (Smash), runner-up J. Gonzales (Zwoosh); singles D champion L. Gajeto (Slashers), runner-up K. Racosta (Fleeq); doubles C champion J. Gonzalez-M. Jireza (Zwoosh), runner-up C. Chua-C. Hadjjiri (Falcons-KAIA); doubles E champion G. Cabradilla-A. Guevarra (Smaikers-JSB), runner-up G. Hulleza-G. Vigilla (RESC); doubles F champion I. Miriam-J. Pasonal (Dragons), runner-up E. Olaivar-G. Ayo (EBC-Falcons).