Asuncion siblings lead RP quest in tough badminton meet

MANILA, Philippines - The tandem of siblings Kennevic and Kennie Asuncion will again be leading the country's campaign in the mixed doubles event of the $120,000 Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open Badminton Championships which will start on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena. After posting a second place finish in the event during the inaugural edition in 2006, Kennevic and Kennie have since struggled and saw their world ratings plummet because of lack of international exposure. For this tough tournament, the Asuncions are ranked No. 21 among 29 competitors in the mixed doubles, outranked by another Filipino pair, Alfredo Mailom and Pauline Ramos, at No. 15. But still, the Asuncions remain the sentimental favorites owing to their vast experience and tested partnership that has produced honor for the country in the past. These Filipino teams will be going up against battle-tested players from Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan, Slovenia and Hong Kong, which will be represented by world No. 11 Yohan Wiratama and Hoi Wah Chau. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV