JEDDAH: The well credentialed Filipino pair of Ralph Cajandig and Tan Kapunan drew on their wealth of experience to beat the Syrian-Jordanian tandem of Ammar Awad and Ehab Noubani in the centerpiece Premier Men’s doubles final in the 6th Ultimate Badminton Challenge: The Battle of Badminton Supremacy at Olympia Badminton Courts in Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital here recently.

Cajandig, a commercial player , and former UAAP champion Kapunan got the better of their foreign rivals in the thrilling contest that brought hundreds of spectators to their feet. Long rallies and magic trick shots from the two protagonists highlighted the match that went to a deciding game in the third set before it concluded in an hour and 15 minutes.

The tournament was successfully organized by Smash Arabia Badminton Club, the No. 1 badminton club in the Kingdom headed by Chairman Bobby Fernandez Pillado, Vice Chairman Grace Villanueva, Secretary Abigail Asiatico, Treasurer Joseff Santiago and Team Manager Wilson Maata. Committee members are Norie Bundoc, Board Member (Membership) -Mark Villanueva & Dindo Morada , Board Member (Technical Committee) – Christopher Hernandez, Alvin Cornejo, Roland Santos and Romy Capili, Jameel Argonza (Head of umpires & linesmen) and Supervising Head – Shah Rizvie Tajudeen & Nathaniel Andrade, Logistic committee – Noel Ramos, Gerry Jancinal and Nolan “Batuti” Hormillosa, Food Committee Malou Andrade, Sally Obras and Lynne Boquerente.

NCB QuickPay is the major sponsors of the three-day tournament . The co-sponsors are BDO Remit, ABS-CBN E-money Plus, myREMIT-one, Salam Medical (Home Health Care), Mobil1, NEMER, Pepsi, Avon, WeSport, Mosaid Travel & Tourism, SUBWAY and Sunbutta Shuttlecocks & Apparels.

Champions and runners-up in different categories are as follows:

Flight 6 – Men’s doubles champion Rodem Bandiola-Gomer Gabatin (SABC Riyadh), runner-up Victor Valdellon-Ian Mark Palacao (D’ Club Jaunty) Women’s doubles champion Elvie Olaivar-Khety Joy Didal (D’ Club Jaunty), runner-up Rowena Tarnate-Ching Pasion (RBC Abha), Mixed Doubles champion Arnold Calamsa-Ana Margarita Lugtu (Phombag Riyadh), runner-up Victor Valdellon-Kheity Joy Didal (D'club Jaunty)

Flight 5 – Men’s doubles champion Mike Martin-Jacob Petilla (Jaguars), runner-up Rommel Triunfo-Arnold Calamsa (Phombag Riyadh), women’s doubles Carla Decena- Farhana Matanog (KAIA-KBC) runner-up Mhy Escober -Ethyl Suing (Jaguars), mixed doubles champion Pepe Ching-Farhana Matanog - runner-Up Jacob Petilla-Ethyl Suing , men’s doubles above 45 champion Manny Dela Cruz-Hector Alcala (Jaguars ) runner-up Dennis Misolas-Earl Horlado (Jeddah Slashers)

Flight 4 – Men’s doubles champion Datu Bonga Don Generoso (Friday Boiz/Babes) runner-up Astroflex Bautista Randy Samson - Fun (Dammam), women’s doubles champion Giselle Bandigan Cindy Calandria (Phogi) runner-up Lilibeth Tiboron Dolor De Castro (D'club Jaunty/Falcons), mixed doubles champion Ryan Dela Cruz Jasmin Ching (Falcons/KAIA) runner-up Edmar Ortil Sharon Generoso (Friday Boiz/ Babes), men’s doubles above 45 champion Habib Abubakar Omar Gote (IPBC) runner-up Noel Ramos Elgen Lomongo (Smash Arabia/Independent), women’s doubles above 45 Sally Gonzales Analyn Horlado (Jeddah Slashers) runner-up Glenda Misolas Joy Cruz (Jeddah Slashers)

Flight 3 – Men’s doubles champion Ajish Edassary Jonathan Khoo (RBC Assir) runner-up Mark Pangilinan Ryan dela Cruz (Jaguars/Falcons), women’s doubles champion Sarah Villar Charmaine Chua (FLEEQ/CRTC) runner-up Yugene Yusikee Princess de Silva (Smash Arabia/Riyadh), mixed doubles champion Felix Alejo Angela Aris (MBA) runner-up Jotham Matin-Ao Thina Parabas (D’ Club Jaunty), men’s singles champion Jhun Rito (Smash Arabia) runner-up Dr. Aslam (Pak Tigers) women’s singles champion Princess De Silva (SABC Riyadh) runner-up Lindey Gajeto (FLEEQ)

Flight 2 – Men’s doubles champion Mohammed Dayeh Sameer (FLEEQ) runner-up Jorevic Aguirre Pam Daksla (Phogi/Falcons) mixed doubles champion Jorevic Aguirre Chairmane Chua (Phogi/CRTC) runner-up Mike Manibo Kring Acosta (FLEEQ), men’s singles champion Siryani (ABC) runner-up Jorevic Aguirre

Flight 1 – Men’s doubles champion Klay Dirampaten Benny (MBA/Indo) runner-up Abdul Salam Ali Khan (JBC) mixed doubles champion Klay Dirampaten Angela Atis (MBA) runner-up Manuel Cunanan Rica Montales (Fun/Indp) men’s singles champion Awaiz (JBC) runner-up Nasser Laguindab (FLEEQ)

Championship – Men’s doubles champion Mitchie Cruz Rico Gonzales ( MBA/JBA) runner-up Lhands Hipolito Alvin Abella ( PBC Riyadh/Phogi), mixed doubles champion Mohammed Taufiq, Yugene Yusikee ( Smash Arabia) runner-up Lhands Hipolito Princess De Silva (SABC Riyadh) men’s singles champion Ryan Delos Reyes ( Friday Boiz and Babes) runner-up Mohammed Suhaime Leong – (ABC)

Premier – Men’s doubles champion Ralph Cajandig Tan Kapunan (Riyadh) runner-up Ammar Awad(Syria) Ehab Noubani (Jordan), men’s singles champion Tan Kapunan runner-up Ralph Cajandig