Star Dutch pair spices up FDG tilt

THE HIGHLY regarded Dutch pair of Selen Piek and Eejfe Muskens showcase their wares in an exhibition match highlighting the 13th FDG Cup Badminton Championships starting Thursday at Power Smash Badminton Center in Makati.

The world No. 8 doubles pair battles Kennevic Asuncion and Robinsons Land Corp. president Frederick Go in an exhibition game on Sunday, when the tournament’s finals are held at Robinsons Place Manila.

The Dutch pair is fresh off a silver-medal finish in the European Championships. Last year, Piek and Muskens posted runner-up finishes in the 2015 Canada Open and the Syed Modi Grand Prix in India.

Asuncion is the only Filipino to qualify in the World Championships.

The Dutch duo joins a long list of world-class players who have graced the tournament, including former Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat, Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and Peter Gade of Denmark.

Matches in men and women’s singles kick off hostilities at 9 a.m. at Powersmash tomorrow.

Former No. 1 Malvinne Ann Alcala battles Jeline Masongsong while former national champion Bianca Carlos takes on Luisa Baldos in two of the marquee matchups.

Defending men’s Open champion Mark Alcala starts his title retention drive against Lawrence Palomer at 10:10 a.m. Cedelf P. Tupas