Seasoned netters vie in Bingo Bonanza tilt

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s finest players and a slew of rising stars gear up for a fierce showdown for badminton supremacy with a crack team from China when the Bingo Bonanza National Badminton Tournament unwraps on Oct. 11 at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Center in Manila and Glorietta 5 Atrium in Makati City.

Mark Alcala and Gelita Castilo completed Allied Victor’s sweep of the singles Open crowns last year but the duo faces a formidable cast of challengers in their respective title-retention drives this time, guaranteeing a wide-open chase for top honors in the week-long event sponsored by the country’s premier gaming and amusement center.

But the local bets will have their hands full against a host of top players from Guangdong out to steal the show in the blue-ribbon event sponsored by Bingo Bonanza and staking a total prize fund of P1.5 million.

“The tournament will showcase the talents of Filipino players and they will have the chance to see how they will fare against foreign rivals,” said Bingo Bonanza vice president for operations and marketing Al Alonte.during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

Registration is ongoing and will end on Sept. 30 at 5 p.m., according to the organizing EventKing Corp. Entry fee is pegged at P800. For details and online listup, visit wwww.bingob.com/nationalopentournament or email or fax to EKC at [email protected].

The qualifiers will be held in the first four days at the RMSC Badminton Hall before action shifts to Glorietta 5 Atrium for the quarterfinals from Oct. 15 all to the way to the finals starting at 1 p.m. on Oct. 18.

“We also want to bring the sport closer to the people that’s why we’re staging the semis and the finals at Glorietta,” added Alonte, joined in the podium by national team manager Jackie Cruz and tournament director Nelson Asuncion.

“This year’s Bingo Bonanza Badminton Open is geared towards discovering the very best of our country’s shuttlers. We hope that our own players will be able to showcase their skills when they go against international players and hopefully they will emerge victorious,” said Rep. Albee Benitez, secretary-general of the Philippine Badminton Association and founder of Bingo Bonanza Corp., which revived the National Open last year.