Smart National Open badminton up

MANILA, Philippines - The Smart National Open Badminton tournament 2015 unfurls Wednesday at the Powersmash Badminton Center in Makati and Robinsons Place Manila with some of the country’s top netters battling it out for pride and glory.

Sanctioned by PBA Smash Pilipinas and organized by Forthright Events including tournament director Yoly Araullo, the tournament drew the participation of four of the five winners from last year’s successful tournament bankrolled by Smart Communications.

Mark Shelley Alcala will defend the men’s singles title he won over Michael Kevin Cudiamat last year while Peter Gabriel Magnaye and Paul Jefferson Vivas are back after topping the men’s doubles by trouncing Philip Joper Escueta and Ronel Estanislao.

Also returning to regain the crown they won from the last edition are women’s doubles winners Malvinne Venice Alcala and Gelita Castilo and mixed doubles titleholder Ronel Estanislao and Joella de Vera.

Defending women’s singles champion Lili Wang will not be around to defend her title, leaving Sarah Joy Barredo, Malvinne Alcala and Pauline Marie Tan, the second, third and fourth placers, respectively, a year ago, to battle it out for the crown

Smart Sports’ Christopher Quimpo said this is part of the MVP Sports Foundation’s efforts to help grow not just badminton but Philippine sports in general.

Araullo said the first three days will be held at the Powersmash Badminton Center in Makati while the fourth and final day is scheduled at the Robinsons Place in Pedro Gil, Manila.

The four-day tournament is also part of the Philippine National Ranking System that is being used to gauge the player’s strength.

The tournament is backed by Sun Cellular, MVP Sports Foundation, Victor exclusively distributed by PCome Industrial Sales, Powersmash Badminton Center and Robinsons Place Manila