Crack doubles cast vies in Nat’l Open badminton

MANILA, Philippines - Swiss International champions Peter Magnaye and Paul Vivas braces for a tough outing as they face a crack field in the men’s doubles of the P1.5 million Bingo Bonanza National Open badminton tournament, which gets under way Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Center.

Coming off a breakthrough victory in the Swiss tilt, the Magnaye-Vivas tandem has been installed as the top pick in the upcoming event but will have their hands full against a talent-laden roster raring to foil their title bid in the four-day tournament marking the revival of the country’s premier championship.

The field includes the tandems of Ronel Estanislao-Joper Escueta, Aries delos Santos-Alvin Morada pair, and Carlos Cayanan-Paul Pantig with Gerald Gonzales and Prince Monterubio and Vincent Manuel and Raphael Deato also fancied to contend for the crown and the top P120,000 purse.

The fight for the women’s doubles title also promises to be wide-open with Jessie Francisco teaming up with Eleanor Inlayo, Kristelle Salatan combining with Aires Montilla, Alyssa Leonardo linking up with Thea Pomar and Joella de Vera partnering with Patricia Barredo.

Vivas and Inlayo, meanwhile, headline the mixed doubles field that also includes Magnaye-Francisco, Estanislao-De Vera, Escueta-Barredo, Delos Santos-Montilla, Escueta-Barredo and Morada-Leonardo.

Young Mark Alcala and veterans Toby Gadi, Rabie Oba-ob, R-Jay Ormila, Ros Pedrosa, Wilson Lopez II and Frell Gabuelo head the Open men’s singles cast while junior aces Sarah Joy Barredo and Airah Mae Nicole Albo banner the women’s singles field in the event sponsored by Bingo Bonanza and sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay and sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez.

Meanwhile, the team managers, coaches and players meeting will be held today also at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Center, according to the organizing EventKing Corp. For details, visit www.bingob.com/nationalopentournament or email EKC at [email protected].