MANILA, Philippines—World No. 1 and 2007 champion Lee Chong Wei is expected to be back when the Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open Badminton Championships stages a comeback next year.

The Malaysian, ranked world No. 3 last year, beat China’s Chen Hong, 21-9, 21-15, in the July 2007 finals held at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City and took home the $9,600 top prize.

Hong Kong’s Zhou Mi copped the women’s singles crown over China’s Zhu Jingjing, 21-18, 21-12. She won $8,280.

As in past stagings, the $120,000 RP Open will be a five-star tournament with ranking points at stake in the men’s and women’s singles and men’s, women’s and mixed doubles.

Siblings Kennie and Kennevic Asuncion, ranked 33rd in the world in mixed doubles, will banner the Philippine campaign alongside promising shuttlers Alvin Alcantara and Andre Babad.

Kennevic bowed out in the first round last year to Malaysian Yogendran Khrishnan while his partnership with elder sister Kennie reached only the second round.

The siblings were runners-up in 2006.

Philippine Badminton Association (PBA) president Amelita “Ming” Ramos Tuesday said that they decided to cancel an earlier playdate because the top players were busy with the Beijing Olympics. The original schedule would have followed an Olympic qualifier.

“But we’re happy to announce that we’re proceeding with the Philippine Open on June 2 to 9 next year,” the former First Lady told the PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue branch.

Ramos was accompanied to the weekly session by PBA vice president Gen. Edgar Aglipay (ret.) and Bingo Bonanza president Albee Benitez. The PSA Forum is sponsored by Shakey’s UN, Accel, Brickroad gym and Aspen spa and MedCentral Medical Clinic and Diagnostic Center.