THE SHUTTLERS of Mindanao will try to hold their own as the MVP Sports Foundation-Bingo Bonanza Philippine Badminton Ranking System tournament starts today at the Wheels and More badminton courts in Davao City.
Veteran Rollie Otamias and Ronald Daymiel head the campaigners from the Mindanao region in the centerpiece men’s Open singles bannered by back-to-back champion Antonino Gadi and second-seed Paul Vivas along with No. 3 Patrick Natividad, fourth-ranked Peter Magnaye and No. 5 Jaime Junio.
Also vying for top honors in the third leg of the nationwide circuit are Cagayan de Oro’s Francis Gomez and Team Wheels & More’s Axle Banson.
Paolo Torreda and Christian Uy, meanwhile, spearhead the ETC Space Shuttle Kidapawan’s bid in the boys’ Under-19 class along with Butuan Badminton Club’s Joshua Ibo and Vince Lagnada and Wheels & More’s Eddie Gacayan Jr. while Rozette Tabunan of Wheels & More and South Cotabato’s Marie Tenchavez and Butuan BC’s Beverly Ann Lagnada banner the region’s bets in the girls’ U-19 side. Correspondent Jonas Panerio