Philippine Badminton Open set for June

c/o PBAD / SMART Sports

The Philippine Badminton Association (PBAD) officially announced the return of the Philippine Badminton Open on Tuesday.

In collaboration with SMART and Mizuno, among others, the PBO is set to take place on June 5-11, with the Super 500 tournament promises thrilling matches and fierce competition.

PBAD Vice President and MVP Sports Foundation Executive Director Jude Turcuato says, "The Philippine Badminton Open is the tournament that proves who the best of the best in the country is. Badminton is one of the sports that MVPSF identified where the Filipino can be a world-class athlete. Organizing tournaments like this will get our athletes busy as this tournament kicks off our local calendar."

PBAD Head of Development Melvin Nubla notes the importance of the tournament, "This tournament is a Super 500 tournament, meaning it will have huge implications not just in the national rankings but also identify who can be part of the national team."

The federation is hopeful that this competition is the start of feeling out potential Olympians for 2028 and beyond.

In reaffirming their commitment to the sport, SMART Sports AVP Christopher Quimpo adds. "In recent years, badminton has experienced significant growth, with several national team players achieving success in international tournaments. This includes Mika De Guzman’s recent triumph in Kazakhstan. Smart is dedicated to nurturing and developing both current and future members of our national team through events like the Philippine Badminton Open."

PBAD Secretary-General Carla Lizardo-Sulit extended her gratitude to all the institutions supporting the PBO, including the likes of Smart Communications, Cignal, Mwell, Mizuno, and MVP Sports Foundation. She remarked, "As a badminton player myself, I am thrilled to see the support the sport is finally getting. This tournament would not be possible without the unwavering support of our partners."

All but one day of the tournament will take place at First Pacific Leadership Academy in Antipolo, with the last day taking place at the Gameville Ballpark in Mandaluyong.

A prize pool of PhP 1 million awaits, with champions to be crowned across five divisions: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles.

Singles champions get PhP 100,000, while PhP 50,000 goes to the runners-up. Losing semifinalists secure PhP 15,000.

For doubles, the champions receive PhP 120,000 while the runners-up take home PhP 60,000. PhP 30,000 await the losing semifinalists.

Seeking a successful title defense of the PBO are Marc Velasco and Mika de Guzman in singles, as well as Julius Villabrille and Nicole Albo in doubles, with Solomon Padiz as Julius' partner in the men and Lea Inlayo as Nicole's partner for the women.

Cignal is expected to broadcast the knockout stages of the competition, aside from the social media platforms of SMART Sports, Puso Pilipinas, and PBAD itself.