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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Young smashers brace for fierce action

Young smashers brace for fierce action

Published Aug 3, 2026 06:20 pm

At A Glance

  • Filipino talents look forward to showcasing their talent against foreign rivals when the inaugural hosting of the 2026 Philippine Junior International Series gets going Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
Filipino talents look forward to showcasing their talent against foreign rivals when the inaugural hosting of the 2026 Philippine Junior International Series gets going Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
Local smashers from the youth division take the center stage this time with 16 countries joining the fray, including powerhouse Malaysia, Indonesia, and India.
Scheduled Aug. 4 to 9, the Philippine Badminton Association (PBAD) is also using the tournament to gauge the level of competitiveness of the national athletes.
“Gusto nating tignan kung gaano kalayo ‘yong mapupuntahan no’ng mga training and ano pa ‘yong mga dapat i-improve,” said PBAD program director Kennie Asuncion.
“Excited tayong lahat, and hopefully, with this program na magtuloy-tuloy… mapakita natin sa ibang Southeast Asian countries [na kaya nating sumabay] and the hosting. I think that helps to entire body of the country para mag-improve,” she added.
Also, PBAD aims to ignite the popularity of the sport here in the country.
“Definitely that’s the goal to bring back the love in badminton here,” Asuncion continued.
“First of all, sport could bring the PH community together… The second thing is we love our heroes, especially the one who fights for us when they compete overseas. We have these heroes in badminton, said PBAD secretary general Shawntel Nieto.
There will be two age categories in U19 and U15 with both having men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles in the six-day joust that offers a $10,000 (around P600,000) prize pool.
Roaquine Mari Ramos and Christel Rei Fuentespina, both members of the national team, are expected to headline more than hundreds local smashers in the continental joust
“Siyempre kailangan ng mga bata ‘yong mga ganto’ng klaseng competition para mas sumabay pa sila, lalo na sa mga international competitions,” said head coach PBAD Smash Pilipinas Philip Joper Escueta

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