Rising stars boost 8th MBPSF PBaRS roster

MANILA, Philippines - The eighth leg of the MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) tournament blasts off Sunday (Oct. 26) with the cream of the crop and the country’s rising stars slugging it out for top honors in various divisions at Powersmash and Robinsons Place Manila.

With a stellar cast, the six-day event ending Oct. 31 guarantees top-notch, non-stop slambang action with the field battling not just for cash prizes but also ranking points, this being the only ranking tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay with sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan as chairman and Rep. Albee Benitez as sec-gen.

Defending Open singles champions Toby Gadi and Bianca Carlos, both of Golden Shuttle Foundation who ruled the seventh staging of the annual event in Pampanga last March, headline the premier division of the event with the latter also the player to beat in the U-19 girls singles.

The first three days will be held at Powersmash while the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will be played at Robinsons Place on Oct. 29-31, according to PBaRS tournament director Nelson Asuncion.

For details, contact the PBaRS office at 20 E. Maclang cor. P. Guevarra Sts., San Juan City at 7252568 and 7828202.

Over 500 players have signed up for the event, backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission, the PBA and official equipment sponsor Victor, exclusively distributed in the country by PCOME Industrial Sales, Inc.

Crowding Gadi in the Open men’s singles are Paul Vivas, Peter Magnaye, Patrick Natividad, Kevin Dalisay, Jayson Oba-ob, Ralph Mendez, Sonny Montilla, Carlos Benipayo, Jaime Junio Jr., Kevin Cudiamat, R-Jay Ormilla, Glenn Remo, Orlan Ticala, Randolph Balatbat and Brent Wu while Gelita Castilo gears up for another showdown with Carlos for the women’s Open singles crown.

The Alcala siblings – Malvinne and Mark – are also in the fold with the former listed in the Open mixed doubles with Ronel Estanislao and the latter out to reclaim the boys’ U-19 singles title after missing the event in Pampanga against the likes of Clarence Filart, Miguel Leonardo, Joshua Monterubio, Paolo Santos and Remo.

Out to foil Carlos’ repeat bid in U-19 singles are Patrisha Malibiran, Elisha Ongcuango, Janelle de Vera, Cassandra Lim and Louise Ramos while Ronald Ongcuango, Jairon Uy, Jourele Antonio, Daniel Pantanosas, Leon Escobar and Carlo Nadong banner the boys’ U-16 singles cast.

Tipped to clash for the girls’ U1-5 singles diadem are Alyssa Geverjuan, Angela Sevilla, Rae Concepcion, Jellene de Vera, Kate Tating and Qianxi Orillaneda, on the other hand, are tipped to clash for the girls’ U-15 singles diadem in the event backed by Gatorade, Vineza, Sincere Construction and Krav Maga Philippines and media partners TV 5, The Philippine Star and Badminton Extreme Philippines Magazine.