The game started at around 7.30pm. It was a blast. More updates and summary to come..

Line-ups for 1st day match

Zhang Ning vs Mia Audina

Taufik Hidayat vs Anders Boesen

Chan Chong Ming/Koo Kien Keat vs Nathan Robertson/Robert Blair

I just got back from the 1st day of the MVP Cup. My friends and I sat in the 500peso ticket section near the entrance. I have to say that the best seats are the 300 peso seats. Even the 50 peso bleacher seats are ok since ULTRA is quite small.

The only advantage of our seats was when Mia Audina passed right in front of us, so my friends were able to get her autograph. Our friend was also able to catch Nathan Roberston's broken racquet when he gave it to the audience

The matches were amazing!!!! AND the atmosphere was wonderful. Everyone was cheering for both teams. Nathan Robertson was really playing to the crowd and hamming it up (which I think is one reason why they lost the 3rd game). You could hear quite a lot of females cheeering for him.

The players from both Europe and Asia are being treated like Rock Stars (or movie stars) given the number of fans asking for their autographs and pictures. I wonder if that's how they're treated in other countries. :)

Results for today Asia 3 Euro 0

Even the professionals feels the vibes and pressure playing in front of the Philipino crowd

1st Match Zhang Ning vs Mia Audina
The initial phase was slow. Both of them have difficulty in adapting to the court. There was a draft as well. :(
Zhang Ning was controlling the whole game. Both were deceptive with their drops and baseline shots. I can see that Mia was working hard to retrieve ZN's shots. Overall the game was good. But it was not their best performance.

2nd Match Taufik Hidayat Vs Ander Boesen

Taufik was the local favourite as he has been in this country several times. Many were cheering him on. 1st set was a close match. Anders Boesen was leading all the way , there were many good rallys but due to Taufik's experience and his defence he eventually won the 1st set.
Second set was all Taufik as he up his game. Anders was running all over the court. He played hard but unfortunately Taufik is still too good for him

3rd Match KooKK/ChanCM vs NathanR/RobertB
The mens doubles was definately the highlight. Nathan Robertson was working the crowd. He even threw his racket to the spectators after he clashed his rackets with his partner during the game. Not only that.. he got a yellow card from the umpire as well. 1st set both were playing cautiously. Less lifts more drives and netplay. Both team were struggling with the draft and the court. What i can say during the 1st set , was just a warmup set for them. Malaysia team led the first set. Second set was a good one , everybody was cheering for the underdogs and in fact the english team won the 2nd set due to many unforced errors of the Msian Team.
After some advice from Punch Gunalan , the msian was set to go. 3rd set was close with many long rallys and setup plays. good and netshots that is milimeters away. It was a close and entertaining 3rd set to watch. However The Msian pair won the 3rd set anyway.

Definately today was an unforgettable day for the Philipinos to witness a glimpse of the world class play. Everybody was cheering and shouting. Personally i think the crowd are much better than other Major Opens.

Stay tune for Day 2.

Picture of the program book

Hey ants, No pics of the game ? :eek: :D

Line-ups for 1st day match

Zhang Ning vs Mia Audina

Taufik Hidayat vs Anders Boesen

Chan Chong Ming/Koo Kien Keat vs Nathan Robertson/Robert Blair

Game 1 won by Zhang Ning
Game 2 won by Taufik
Game 3 won by Chan Chong Ming/Koo Kien Keat
Go Team Asia!

Pleased to meet you Ants!

Hey ants, No pics of the game ? :eek: :D

Will post the pics after everything is finished. :)

Game 1 won by Zhang Ning
Game 2 won by Taufik
Game 3 won by Chan Chong Ming/Koo Kien Keat
Go Team Asia!

Pleased to meet you Ants!

Pleased to meet you too Spider-man :)

Just wondering why is it call MVP cup?what does MVP stand for and is there actually a Gold Cup or something for the winners?

Just wondering why is it call MVP cup?what does MVP stand for and is there actually a Gold Cup or something for the winners?

It stands for Manuel V Pangilinan CUP. He is the owner of a telco company here. Badminton fanatic. Rich man.

I forgot to post the scoreline for the matches. Here is it.

Zhang Ning vs Mia 11-5, 11-3

Taufik Hidayat vs Anders Boesen 15-13, 15-4

Chan Chong Ming/Koo Kien Keat vs Nathan Robertson/Robert Blair
15-8, 6-15, 15-11

Hey ants, No pics of the game ? :eek: :D

Ants!!! Im in cebu, cant be there to watch the game personally, is there any replay in any local cable networks? I really would like to know.

A glimpse of how the tourney look like.

This was the starting of 2nd set. The air balloon is flying away.

Suprised to see the upper seats empty,?

Thx u very much .ant nice pic ...:)

Thanks ants... more pics please hehe :D

Yeah, why it is not jam packed? :confused:

Why is the court so glossy? o_O

I'm not sure about the upper seats. I think they are not selling the uppers. Since it is a first time for a big event like this. The organisers don't know what to expect. Basically all the seats and tickets offered are sold out.

Any More Photos Ants?? :D

Line-ups for 1st day match

Zhang Ning vs Mia Audina

Taufik Hidayat vs Anders Boesen

Chan Chong Ming/Koo Kien Keat vs Nathan Robertson/Robert Blair

do you know who will play on day 3?

From my point of view, the Mens Doubles was indeed the highlight of the evening. Some of the play was so exciting people didnt even have time to cheer until the rally was over.

I cannot help thinking however, that on some level the players are not taking the event so seriously. (note that I can only compare this to my personal experience and the international matches I see on cable)

1. Taufik - He lost a lot of rallies because of his own (and in my opinion, unforced) errors. He sent quite a few shots to the net, mostly on drops.

2. Robertson - There was a lot of banter in the men's singles, with a lot of (for want of a better term) showmanship on the part of Robertson. He reminded me a lot of a less verbose McEnroe from his body language. Im sure those who were there saw the part when he tapped one Malaysian player on the head with his racket after an exchange of drops at the net. Im sure this doesnt happen in IBF play, right?

Say,

Do you think the Badmintoncentral people would want to get together before or after the tourney to have a manila EB and maybe discuss the event?

We could hold it on the last day, Thursday. Either an early or late dinner.

Finally,

The pair from the UK were given a yellow card for rubbing the shuttle on their racket strings. What's up with that?

What advantage does that give them?

thanks ants.. looking forward to your great photos :D
btw, what's the court made of?

Finally,

The pair from the UK were given a yellow card for rubbing the shuttle on their racket strings. What's up with that?

What advantage does that give them?

In the Rule book i cant remember which section , you cannot do anything with the shuttlecock.

Yeah, why it is not jam packed? :confused:

I really don't know. Although I can confirm Ants' statement that according to the official seller of the tickets, Ticketworld, the tickets were sold out.

Maybe the organizers had other plans for the bleacher seats or that people mistakenly (like we did) thought that the bleacher seats were too far away from the action.

The players looked like they were having a lot of fun. During the doubles match, Chan Chong Ming even gave Nathan Robertson a thumbs up sign when Nathan executed a counter-drop which Chan wasn't able to return. Also, when the crowd started booing the Umpire's decision after he gave the English pair a yellow card, Nathan Robertson encouraged the crowd to boo louder (he was smiling of course).

Nice to hear that... :cool:

I just hope that this is the start for Major Badminton Tournaments in the Philippines.

Let us just pray that maybe next year, we will have 5 Star Tournament called Philippine Open so that we'll see all the best players in action :D

Nice to hear that... :cool:

I just hope that this is the start for Major Badminton Tournaments in the Philippines.

Let us just pray that maybe next year, we will have 5 Star Tournament called Philippine Open so that we'll see all the best players in action :D

the picture shows 1 corner only... most of the people are on the other corner... i've watched it last night and there were a lot of people there... i was able to see BOESEN vs. HIDAYAT... it was really good! great players... i was really impressed on HIDAYAT 's backhand smash! :eek:

the picture shows 1 corner only... most of the people are on the other corner... i've watched it last night and there were a lot of people there... i was able to see BOESEN vs. HIDAYAT... it was really good! great players... i was really impressed on HIDAYAT 's backhand smash! :eek:

yeah , i REMEMBER it was amazing....

With all respect to ants, Manny Pangilinan is not the owner of the telco who sponsored the event...He's the CEO :)

I noticed a lot of the players are complaining about the blind spots...It's probably because the court is not really intended for a badminton tournament.

Can't wait for the next games.

Ants!!! Im in cebu, cant be there to watch the game personally, is there any replay in any local cable networks? I really would like to know.

Hey, the games are shown in solar sports starting 7pm. Both cable TVs in Cebu carries the channel. Or, if you don't have a cable tv around, just go to metrosports badminton club, and they have one tv dedicated for the channel.

2. Robertson - There was a lot of banter in the men's singles, with a lot of (for want of a better term) showmanship on the part of Robertson. He reminded me a lot of a less verbose McEnroe from his body language. Im sure those who were there saw the part when he tapped one Malaysian player on the head with his racket after an exchange of drops at the net. Im sure this doesnt happen in IBF play, right?

*chuckles* shucks, i musta missed that. but i saw the part when he threw his racquet up to the spectators area. what was that all about?:confused: my father says the racquet frame was already broken. yet the ladies who caught it were positively overjoyed:confused::p .. well, i guess it's not everyday you catch an international player's broken racquet, so that must be the case:D.

i was revolted at the way the malaysians played their game. it was really almost like the way they played their match against alven/luluk last week! terrible terrible!:mad: like rexy says, they really have to 'get their attitude right'.

With all respect to ants, Manny Pangilinan is not the owner of the telco who sponsored the event...He's the CEO :)

I noticed a lot of the players are complaining about the blind spots...It's probably because the court is not really intended for a badminton tournament.

Can't wait for the next games.

Hello :D

(off topic) Well, Manny Pangilinan is actually one of the owners of PLDT/Smart given his history as Managing Director of First Pacific, Metro Pacific and the main owner of the conglomerate, Liem Sioe Liong of Indonesia.

Manny Pangilinan was the one who convinced Liem Sioe Liong to transfer his company's base of operation from Indonesia to Hong Kong.

the games were amazing last night.

I just have to lament the sonic incompatibility of the court.. you don't hear the smashes thundering down... as if taufik's smashes were so-so. maybe they should put some tape on their rackets so that we'll hear a proper WHAPAK!!!

The men's doubles match was the most exciting to watch. Like a soap opera... you've got drama, humour, and lots of tension. The only 3-setter match ot the night, it was the treat that everyone was waiting for. Blair was making too many errors, but Nathan... Nathat was amazing. he was the most enetertaining player on court. His antics, although considered as foul during serious tournaments, endeared him to the crowd.

Now I understand why the europeans are amazing in their own right. They don't just play the game like the stiff and military-disciplined asians... they are PROFESSIONAL ENTERTAINERS the way NBA stars are. They make a bad shot, you see them burst emotionally. They make a good shot, they pump their fists like tiger woods. They beat you at the net, they stare you down as if they're challenging you some more. It's part of the show.

And what a show it was.

I salute the Europeans for making this a most exciting badminton festival. They're the perfect foil/contrast to the machine-like Asian players.

My suggestion for the next staging: We probably don't need a lot of super stars... let's put 2nd-tier players who are crowd pleasers on court instead, the way the harlem globe trotters gave basketball a different appeal back then. BEL - badminton entertainer's league. hehehehe

All that from the first day, and we've got 2 more days of fun and excitement to go.

This is really way off-topic hehe...Well technically, he is as he owns stocks of PLDT. But that doesn't mean that he's one of the owners as all of the PLDT subscribers own stocks. That point of view makes me an owner of PLDT then :D
The majority individual owner really is Salim of Indonesia who owns about 24% and is a crony of Suharto (Operating shares). The ownership of this company dates back to the Marcos Regime. As we all know, the Cojuangcos and Yuchengcos are some of the local owners. If you sum up all the local shares, it should comprise at least 60% of the total shares.
All these are based on the facts that I got when I was working for PLDT :)

Hello :D

(off topic) Well, Manny Pangilinan is actually one of the owners of PLDT/Smart given his history as Managing Director of First Pacific, Metro Pacific and the main owner of the conglomerate, Liem Sioe Liong of Indonesia.

Manny Pangilinan was the one who convinced Liem Sioe Liong to transfer his company's base of operation from Indonesia to Hong Kong.

This is really way off-topic hehe...Well technically, he is as he owns stocks of PLDT. But that doesn't mean that he's one of the owners as all of the PLDT subscribers own stocks. That point of view makes me an owner of PLDT then :D
The majority individual owner really is Salim of Indonesia who owns about 24% and is a crony of Suharto (Operating shares). The ownership of this company dates back to the Marcos Regime. As we all know, the Cojuangcos and Yuchengcos are some of the local owners. If you sum up all the local shares, it should comprise at least 60% of the total shares.
All these are based on the facts that I got when I was working for PLDT :)

yeah in a way, but he is Managing Director so I guess it's slightly a bit different than us owning a few shares of PLDT. :D If it were the same, maybe next year I can host the "MikeJ-Smart Cup"

Liem Sioe Liong IS Salim. He became Suharto's friend back when Suharto was a commander in the army. He felt that one day Suharto would be in power so he nurtured his friendship with Suharto.

Anyway, Manny Pangilinan's genuis (and continuing genius) is that he was able to convice Liem Sioe Liong to move his company's home office to Hong Kong. Manny Pangilinan has really gone a long way in improving how business is done here in the Philippines and how companies treat their employees.

Of course his best move to date is bringing all these world class badminton players to the Philippines. :)

Back to the topic, :) I really hope that the MVP Cup will continue for a long time and becomes a tradition...Day 1 proved that badminton in the Philippines boomed up a notch...Maybe the other telcos should come up with their own version of an International Badminton Tournament hehe That would definitely make us delighted :D

the games were amazing last night.

I just have to lament the sonic incompatibility of the court.. you don't hear the smashes thundering down... as if taufik's smashes were so-so. maybe they should put some tape on their rackets so that we'll hear a proper WHAPAK!!!

The men's doubles match was the most exciting to watch. Like a soap opera... you've got drama, humour, and lots of tension. The only 3-setter match ot the night, it was the treat that everyone was waiting for. Blair was making too many errors, but Nathan... Nathat was amazing. he was the most enetertaining player on court. His antics, although considered as foul during serious tournaments, endeared him to the crowd.

Now I understand why the europeans are amazing in their own right. They don't just play the game like the stiff and military-disciplined asians... they are PROFESSIONAL ENTERTAINERS the way NBA stars are. They make a bad shot, you see them burst emotionally. They make a good shot, they pump their fists like tiger woods. They beat you at the net, they stare you down as if they're challenging you some more. It's part of the show.

And what a show it was.

I salute the Europeans for making this a most exciting badminton festival. They're the perfect foil/contrast to the machine-like Asian players.

My suggestion for the next staging: We probably don't need a lot of super stars... let's put 2nd-tier players who are crowd pleasers on court instead, the way the harlem globe trotters gave basketball a different appeal back then. BEL - badminton entertainer's league. hehehehe

All that from the first day, and we've got 2 more days of fun and excitement to go.
I also personally agree that Europeans bring different flavour to the game.

Hey Ants while these guys were playing on the first day where were Lin Dan and the others?were they watching the match too?Dont forget the pics!

*chuckles* shucks, i musta missed that. but i saw the part when he threw his racquet up to the spectators area. what was that all about?:confused: my father says the racquet frame was already broken. yet the ladies who caught it were positively overjoyed:confused::p .. well, i guess it's not everyday you catch an international player's broken racquet, so that must be the case:D.

i was revolted at the way the malaysians played their game. it was really almost like the way they played their match against alven/luluk last week! terrible terrible!:mad: like rexy says, they really have to 'get their attitude right'.

this is a 'friendly' match isn't it? no ranking points for winning? just a bit of a show. i'm surprised robertson was yellow carded tho - he always does that - it's almost a habit.

i wouldn't worry how the players play - or who wins to be honest. Nathan is a known showman, his whole game revolves around his innate talent, racquet-craft and deception. his raw power isn't what it used to be, but can be used to devastating effect - and he certainly isn't as fit as some of the players on the circuit.

but i think this series is all about the show. and it sounds like they're putting a good one on :)

this is a 'friendly' match isn't it? no ranking points for winning? just a bit of a show. i'm surprised robertson was yellow carded tho - he always does that - it's almost a habit.

i wouldn't worry how the players play - or who wins to be honest. Nathan is a known showman, his whole game revolves around his innate talent, racquet-craft and deception. his raw power isn't what it used to be, but can be used to devastating effect - and he certainly isn't as fit as some of the players on the circuit.

but i think this series is all about the show. and it sounds like they're putting a good one on :)i wasn't trying to make a big deal of kk/chongming's playing. i was only reminded of their performance in the recent malaysian open when i saw their match last night, and thus commented. whether it is a friendly match or otherwise does not mean the players shouldn't play seriously, does it?

i wasn't trying to make a big deal of kk/chongming's playing. i was only reminded of their performance in the recent malaysian open when i saw their match last night, and thus commented. whether it is a friendly match or otherwise does not mean the players shouldn't play seriously, does it?

well of course they should play seriously - and i'm sure they're still trying to win, but i'm also sure that since it is a 'friendly' players will try more extravagant, lower percentage shots, that they wouldn't try in a truly competitve match..

plus - all of them need to save their best for the WC - not long to go now! less than 5 weeks?

yeah , i REMEMBER it was amazing....

i watched the game through net TV, the quality was not good enough,screen was blurred and could be paused anytime:(
but i was lucky to see the taufik compared with some taufik's fans who can't connect the net successfully.
maybe anyone can post taufik's pic in this game?:)

*chuckles* shucks, i musta missed that. but i saw the part when he threw his racquet up to the spectators area. what was that all about?:confused: my father says the racquet frame was already broken. yet the ladies who caught it were positively overjoyed:confused::p .. well, i guess it's not everyday you catch an international player's broken racquet, so that must be the case:D.


Our friend was the one who caught Nathan Robertson's racquet. :D We had fun passing it around. Of course it was a thrill since, like what you said, it's not everyday you catch or even touch a world #1 player's racquet (it must be like catching Harry Potter's wand, or catching Michael Jordan's shoes or basketball).

In the Rule book i cant remember which section , you cannot do anything with the shuttlecock.

But Robertson often rubs the shuttle on his strings before serving.:confused: I've watched in previous tourneys, and this is the only time I've seen him get yellow-carded for it.

yes they are watching the games and giving support...i saw taufik and lin dan raised their hands and shouted after a long rally is won by the asian mens doubles in day 1

Hey Ants while these guys were playing on the first day where were Lin Dan and the others?were they watching the match too?Dont forget the pics!