Gadi, Alcala aim to defend badminton titles

Reigning champions Toby Gadi and Markie Alcala are out to defend their respective division titles when the MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) circuit kicks off its second season at the Metro Sports Center in Lahug, Cebu City. Gadi, the reigning UAAP badminton MVP, dominated the centerpiece Open men's singles event of last year's four-leg tour. Paul Vivas, Peter Gabriel Magnaye, Joper Escueta, Patrick Natividad, Charlo Tengco, Kevin Dalisay, Sonny Boy Montilla, Paolo Sunga and Jason Obaob are out to foil his bid for the P70,000 top purse. Alcala, on the other hand, faces a tough task as he tries to keep his reign in the boys' Under-15 division. Patrick Gecosala, Joaquin Deato, Jairon Uy, Emilio Mangubat Jr., Enrico Asuncion, Alexis Geverjuan and Ryan Bautista are hoping to knock him out of the top spot. Gelita Castillo and Ma. Bianca Ysabel Carlos, last year's ladies Open singles leg winners, lead the contenders for the crown along with Bianca Legaspi, Isabel Tan, Jen Cayetano, Pauline Tan, Ellaine Malelang and Kristina Tan. The boys' and girls' Under-19 and Under-15 age divisions (singles, doubles and mixed doubles) are the other events that offer ranking points. The Philippine Badminton Association (PBA) organized the PBaRS circuit last year in an effort to further raise the level of play in the country and come up with a truly national ranking system. New Philippine team head coach Rexy Mainaky of Indonesia will also be monitoring the players’ performances for possible spots in the national pool gearing up for various international competitions this year. — JVP, GMA News