Gadi, Alcala head Nat’l Open tourney

MANILA, Philippines - National players Toby Gadi and Malvinne Alcala banner the stellar field in the Smart National Open badminton tournament which fires off today at Powersmash Badminton Center in Makati City.  

 Gadi will be joined by fellow nationals John Kenneth Monterubio, Kevin Dalisay, Rabbie Jason Oba-ob and Michael Kevin Cudiamat, La Salle’s Owen Lopez and Team Prima’s Sean Kevin Chan in the men’s singles Open division.  

Alcala, on the other hand, headlines the women’s Open singles cast that includes Gelita Castilo, Airah Mae Nicole Albo, Lili Wang of Bingo Bonanza, La Salle’s Janine Peligrino and national junior standout Sarah Joy Barredo. 

The tourney, backed by Smart Telecommunication’s chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association (PBA), drew more than 500 players with the week-long event part of the Philippine National Ranking System (PNRS).

 Vice President and PBA chief Jejomar Binay, PBA sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez and PBA chairman Manny V. Pangilinan are expected to grace the opening ceremony.