The talent pool is pretty deep.
After a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Badminton National Open makes a smashing return following its opening on Sunday at the Dragonsmash Badminton Center in Makati.
The tournament, which will run until February 26, is part of the national team’s preparations for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May.
“Badminton is one of the sports that we identified where the Filipino can be a world-class athlete. Getting into that level takes a lot of training, repetition, and mindset. It will take the full force of the badminton community to get it done,” said Philippine Badminton Association vice president Jude Turcuato in a media release.
Ros Pedrosa will look to defend the men's singles title, while Bianca Carlos will try to retain the women’s singles title. In the mixed doubles division, Thea Pomar and Ariel Magnaye will vie for back-to-back crowns. Fast-rising stars Mika de Guzman and Jewel Albo are also expected to shine.
The winners of the singles events will receive P70,000, while the champions of the doubles events will get P150,000.
The tournament is backed by Yamaha, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Smart Telecommunications, MWell, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, and Ducksports.