Barredo eyes another Bingo Bonanza title

National player Sarah Joy Barredo eyes a back-to-back title for the upcoming P 1.5 million Bingo Bonanza National Badminton Open set Oct. 17-23 at the CW Home Depot Ortigas and SM Mega Mall in Pasig

Barredo, considered as one of the best young players since the past three years, is hoping to conquer the women’s open singles division once again but expects a field of competitive players to join in the annual tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association.

“I expect all the best players will be competing this year in Bingo Bonanza, so I also expect this season will be tougher than last year,” says the 16-year-old Barredo. “But I’m really up to the challenge. I’m training very hard. I’m ready to compete and win another title.”

“In God’s will, I will give my best shot in this annual prestigious badminton tournament.”

Barredo defeated fellow national player Airah Mae Nicole Albo in last year’s finals via 15- 21, 21- 16, 21- 6 victory. Aside from Barredo and Albo, other open players like Christine Inlayo, Gelita Castillo and Malvinne “Poca” Alcala, among others, are the players to watch in the women’s open class.

In the men’s singles of the event fully backed by Bingo Bonanza Corp., national players Kevin Cudiamat, R- Jay Ormilla, Alvin Morada, Kenneth Monterubio, Paul Vivas and Peter Magnay, are also up to the task.

“I feel non-national team members will also shine in this tournament, so we have to work hard also,” said Cudiamat. “We can’t be complacent.”

The defending champion in the men’s singles open is Mark Alcala.

The cash prizes for the men’s and women’s singles open will be P100,000 each while P120,000 will be at stake for the men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.