Top badminton players to see action in Smart Open

MANILA, Philippines – The country's best and brightest converge as the Smart National Open Badminton tournament 2016 starts Tuesday at the Powersmash Badminton Center and Vista Mall in Taguig City.

Sarrah Barredo, Kevin Cudiamat, Jofer Escueta, Roslee Pedrosa, Frell Gabuelo, Peter Gabriel Magnaye and Alvin Morada are among the players to watch out for in this annual event, now on its third year, that has drawn 300 plus participants – the biggest this year.

"This is definitely the biggest Open badminton tournament in the country. We're also the biggest in all Philippine National Ranking System events," said tournament director Yoly Araullo.

The PNRS is a system being used to gauge the player's strength.

Smart Sports chief Christopher "Epok" Quimpo said this meet is part of the MVP Sports Foundation's efforts to help find and develop athletes not just in badminton but other sports as well.

"This is part of the MVP Sports Foundation in keeping not just badminton but sports in our country alive," said Quimpo.

The four-day tournament is organized by Forthright Events and Sports Management Inc. and sponsored by Smart, MVPSF, Victor exclusively distributed by Pcome Industrial Sales, Bali Pure, Koffee Luwak, Prima Pasta, 100Plus, and venue partners Powersmash Badminton Center and Vista Mall Taguig.