P1-M shuttle tourney fires off

THE CHASE for cash prizes, ranking points and possible spots in the national pool begins today as the MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) circuit gets going at the Metro Sports Center in Lahug, Cebu City.

Sixty three singles matches and eight doubles have been lined up in a busy first day of the five-day championship, kicking off a three-leg nationwide circuit held to provide the country’s leading shuttlers and upcoming stars a tournament where they could hone their talent and skills.

The tour, featuring the Open, Under-19 and Under-15, is also aimed at discovering fresh talents who could be tapped, developed and trained to become members of the national pool, now handled by Olympic gold medal coach Rexy Mainaky.

The lesser-fancied players get the chance to show their wares in the first round of the event, sponsored by Goal Pilipinas, with the seeded entries, headed by members of the national team, launching their respective bids in various divisions tomorrow.

Matches in the 64-player field boys’ U-19 kicks off hostilities at 9 a.m. Matches in the centerpiece men’s Open singles are also on tap starting at 9:30 a.m.

For details and results, log on to www.pbars.com.

The tournament is organized by the Philippine Badminton Association, headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, chairman and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan, and sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez.