PBO stakes P1 million in prizes

MANILA, Philippines — Smashing hardcourt action is on following the opening yesterday of the Philippine Badminton Open 2024 at the First Pacific Leadership Academy Badminton Center in Antipolo City, boasting a prize pool of P1 million across five divisions.

Mark Anthony Velasco and Mika de Guzman, both standouts from the UAAP and the national team, are defending their respective singles crowns in this tournament backed by Smart, Mizuno, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the MVP Sports Foundation.

Velasco will try to keep the men’s title against a huge field of 200 other male shuttlers starting today, as he drew a bye into the Round of 128. De Guzman, on the other hand, will not see action until tomorrow against Adamson’s Danice Jhean Colao or La Salle’s Mia Manguilimotan in the Round of 32.

In the doubles events, Julius Villabrille and Nicole Albo will be gunning for another twin championship, looking to defend their mixed doubles title starting with a battle against UST’s Bien Miraflor and Rhafi Santos.

Matches will be aired on the Facebook pages of Smart Sports, Puso Pilipinas, and the Philippine Badminton Association.