PBaRS third leg unfolds in Davao

MANILA, Philippines -  Action in the MVP Sports Foundation-Bingo Bonanza Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) tournament swings to Davao beginning today with a heavy schedule of matches featuring the leading and upcoming stars lined up at the Wheels ‘N More badminton courts.

Top seed and back-to-back leg champion Antonino Gadi of Golden Shuttle Foundation takes on JLTC/Flypower’s Lorenzo Leonardo while second seed Paul Vivas of Phl/Victor tests JLTC/Flypower’s Lorenzo Yason’s mettle in the lower half of the draw in the men’s Open singles division.

Other matches in the centerpiece class of the event, initiated by Vice President and Philippine Badminton Association president Jejomar Binay, Rep. Albee Benitez and businessman-sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan, pit Randy Bermejo of REHAB with Ibrahim Onggo of CHC Shuttlers, Whackers’ Stephen Sagayan vs Francis Rey Gomez of LDCU/Cagayan de Oro, Golden Shuttle Foundation/UP Diliman’s Charlo Tengco vs Shernan Olalia of Excel, Vincent Tan vs Alfredo Mailon Jr. of Team Prima/Yonex.

In other matches, Mark Ranao tangles with Team Wheel ‘N More’s Neilven Ybañez, Rollie Otamias collides with Ronald Daymiel of South Cotabato, Carlos Benipayo of Team Prima/Yonex squares off with Nikko Saquin of Whackers, Sonny Montilla of Team Prima clashes with Vaetrmar Concepcion of Badmonista, Paolo Sunga of GSF mixes it up with Jove Fabunan of Excel, and FEU’s Randolph Balatbat battles Warren Abrasado.

Hostilities in the women’s Open singles, headed by top seed Gelita Castilo and No. 2 Bianca Carlos, will start tomorrow with CJC Shuttlers Mae Tolosa facing off with GSF Bianca Legaspi, and Kristina Tan of GSF taking on Jamila Cruz of Phl/Victor.

The five-day event, the third leg of a four-stage circuit backed by official equipment sponsor Victor, exclusively distributed by PCOME Industrial Sales, Inc. in the country, also features events in the men’s and ladies Open doubles and mixed doubles categories, and the boys’ 19-under and 15-under singles, doubles and mixed doubles divisions.

Top seed Joper Escueta of Phl/Victor/Prima likewise opens his drive for a third straight victory in boys’ 19-U singles as he trades shots with Whackers’ Roland Bacong while No. 2 Wilbert Natividad of GSF faces off with Welford Marasigan in the lower bracket of the 64-man draw.

Action in the girls’ U-19 singles event, supported by PLDT-Smart Foundation, Victor PCOME Industrial Sales, Gatorade and Powersmash with The Philippine STAR, TV5, Badminton Extreme Philippines Magazine, Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT and 103.5 WOW! as media partners, starts tomorrow with Carlos firing off her drive for third win in a row against Team Prima/Lining’s Carmela Zamora.

In the 15-U category, it will be Raymond Dequina of South Cotabato vs Vincent Manuel of JLTC/Flypower, Raphael Deato vs Wheels ‘N More’s Samuel Salvaado, Paolo Barrios of ETC Space Shuttle Kidapawan vs Emilio Mangubat Jr. of Whackers and Armand Manlalangit vs Alexis Geverjuan.

The circuit, which ranks the players according to their strength and performance, winds up with the VP Grand Prix Badminton Open Championships on Oct. 22-29 in Manila.