After 30 years, Toby's still the place to be

MANILA, Philippines - Even at the time when badminton was still an obscure sport in the country, Kennevic and Kennie Asuncion always had a place to go to for all their needs.

As a six-year-old beginner, Kennevic was towed by sister Kennie, then nine, to Greenhills at Toby’s Sports’ first-ever store to purchase grips, strings and various badminton gear that no one could find in any other shop.

Fast forward and the two are now the country’s top mixed doubles players, ranked No. 31 in the world and vying for honors against the toughest players in the biggest tournaments such as the World Badminton Championships.

“I think I was about nine or 10 years old. We went to Toby’s to buy badminton strings and grips and we’d go there regularly when we needed to have our rackets strung because back then only few places did that,” said Kennie.

The brother-and-sister tandem has emerged victorious in prestigious events such as the Peru International in 2005, Babolat North Harbour International 2006 in New Zealand and the Ballarat Eureka International in Australia the same year.

That one store became a refuge for a lot of athletes in every sport, popular or little-known, professional and amateur, and eventually spawned branches in every part of the country.

Now the company is celebrating its 30th anniversary carrying the theme “We know your passion,” as they have from the start. The country’s top retail store continues to bring in the best equipment at reasonable prices, helping local athletes keep up with the progress of foreign rivals and aiding the development of budding stars here.

“My favorite sports experience would be as a child when my parents would bring my brother and me to tennis tournaments. Owning a tennis racket then, at a young age was a very exciting feeling to have,” recalled many-time RP Davis Cup player Roland So.