PBaRS 2nd leg set Oct. 27-31 at Powersmash

MANILA, Philippines - Toby Gadi and Bianca Carlos gear up for title repeat in the centerpiece Open division as the MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) stages its second leg this year on Oct. 27-31 at Powersmash and Makati Coliseum.

But a slew of others will be out to foil their bid with precious ranking points staked under the new badminton system, guaranteeing a wide-open battle for supremacy among the country’s rising stars in various divisions.

Gadi and Castilo topped their respective divisions in the first leg in Cebu last May. 

Both players have emerged No. 1 in the ranking heading to the five-day event sponsored by GOAL Pilipinas and organized by the Philippine Badminton Association headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, chair Manny V. Pangilinan and sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez.

“The MVP Sports Foundation-PBaRS brings back the trust, respect and confidence in the new badminton system. Through this ranking event, we now have the basis to identify the best and ,at the same time, spot the young players with potentials,” said tournament director Nelson Asuncion.

Other backers of the circuit are PBA Partylist (Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta), Gatorade, Badminton Extreme Philippines Magazine, Victor Pcome Industrial Sales Inc., Vineza Industrial Sales, Sincere, Krav Maga Philippines and TV5 with Enervon as minor sponsor.

Another huge field is expected to see action in the five-day event, supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, which features the best and the brightest players in the country.

Expected to crowd Gadi in the Open men’s singles are the next four players in the rankings, including Peter Magnaye, Paul Vivas, Joper Escueta and Patrick Natividad while Carlos is tipped to slug it out with the likes of Gelita Castilo, Bianca Legaspi, Malvinne Ann Alcala and Danica Bolos.

Focus will also be on Mark Alcala, who swept the U-19 and U-15 singles in Cebu with the 13-year-old find coming off a big victory in the Swiss Juniors last month where he humbled older, veteran players to clinch the U-17 crown.

The elims will be played at Powersmash on Oct. 27-28 with the quarters, semis and finals slated at Makati Coliseum on Oct. 29-31.

The third and final leg of this year’s circuit will be held Nov. 30-Dec. 4 in Cagayan de Oro City.