Smart Communications will hold the Smart National Open Badminton Tournament from November 17 to 22 as a warm up event for the national team at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.
The tournament seeks to give the national athletes the chance to familiarize themselves with the facility that will be the venue for the badminton competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
The tournament will showcase the Service Judge Device, an electronic gadget intended to help the players make accurate shot calls for a chance to improve their game.
“Sometimes, there are bad calls. But with the machines, it will lessen wrong judgement not only for the [national] open but also for the SEA Games. It will be the first time that we will be using that device,” Philippine Basketball Association Secretary General Epok Quimpo said.
Referee Judith Brosula said the device will accurately detect all possible infractions in a match.
The open will feature competitions in men’s and women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles.
For the men’s singles are: Ros Lee Pedrosa, Lanz Safra, Pingkoy Salvado, Solomon Padiz, while for the mens doubles: Peter Magnaye, Alvin Morada, Joper Escueta and Paul Pantig.
The women’s singles cast is composed of Sarrah Barredo, Airah Albo, Bianca Carlos, Mika de Duzman. For the womens doubles Thea Pomar, Allysa Leonardo, Jeva De Vera and Chanelle Lunod.
The national athletes are coming off a training camp in Indonesia and will head to Malaysia for another camp on Sunday before they play in the open.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza