B'minton ranking system circuit slated in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - The MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) kicks off its second season with a three-leg circuit featuring the cream of the country’s crop and rising stars on May 19-23 with Cebu City hosting the first stage at the Metro Sports Center in Barangay Lahug.

Toby Gadi, Joper Escueta, Malvinne Alcala, Bianca Carlos, Gelita Castilo and top junior Markie Alcala, who dominated the four-stage inaugural staging of the circuit last year, are again expected to lead the title chase in various divisions in this year’s event sponsored by Goal Pilipinas. But a host of others, including those from the countryside, have prepared hard for the upcoming circuit and are raring to prove their worth in a bid to gain ranking points.

Registration is ongoing with deadline set on May 7 at 5 p.m., according to PBaRS tournament director Nelson Asuncion. On-line listup can also be made on pbars.com.

The Philippine Badminton Association, headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, chairman and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan, and sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez put up the PBaRS circuit last year in an effort to further raise the level of play in the country and come up with a truly national ranking system.

The circuit, backed by Gatorade, Krav Maga Phils., Sincere Construction and Development Corp., Vineza Industrial Sales, Victor PCome Industrial Sales, TV5 and Badminton Extreme Magazine, is also designed to discover fresh talents who could be tapped, developed and trained to become members of the national pool.

In fact, the PBA has recently enlisted noted Indonesian coach Rexy Mainaky, winner of the doubles gold in the World Championships in 1995 and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, to handle the national squad as the country pursues its bid to score a breakthrough on the world stage.

Meanwhile, the posting of official entries at PBaRS and Match Control websites will be on May 10 while the draw will be held at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig on May 14.

The match schedule will be posted on May 16 while the managers, coaches and players meeting will be held on May 18 at the Metro Sports Center in Cebu.

Matches start at 9 a.m. on May 19.

The second leg will be played Oct. 27-31 in Manila while Cagayan de Oro will host the final stage on Nov. 30-Dec. 4.