MVP throws support to badminton program

MANILA, Philippines - Inspired by the huge turnout in the recent Smart Badminton Open National Championship and the ongoing nationwide Sun Cellular National Junior leg events, PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan has reiterated his commitment to help develop the sport by putting up more tournaments.

“He was very happy to see the large number of quality participants and how competitive the matches were,” says Philippine Badminton Association national team manager Eric Espanol.

Smart Communications, one of the companies under Pangilinan’s group, is eyeing to put up a series of rich events the way it did this year with a total prize pot of P1 million staked in the recent tournament.  

“Mr. Pangilinan really believes that badminton is a sport that the Filipinos can excel in, that’s why he keeps supporting the sport and the national team,” said Espanol.

“We would also like to thank PBA president Jojo Binay and sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez, who together with MVP have brought the sport of badminton to a higher level,” he added.

Mark Alcala and Lili Wang took the singles titles and received P100,000 each while national players Peter Magnaye and Paul Vivas, and Malvinne Alcala and Gelita Castilo snared the men’s and women’s doubles plums, respectively, worth P120,000 each. 

Ronel Estanislao and Joella Geva de Vera, meanwhile, bagged the mixed doubles Open title and also received P120,000.