SMART MVP cup Showcases Asia vs. Europe in Badminton Philippine telecommunications giant Smart Communications, in cooperation with its parent company, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), today launched a major international sport event, the MVP Cup, Asia vs. Europe: the Manuel V. Pangilinan Badminton Championships, to be held at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City from July 12 to14, 2005. The MVP Cup is jointly organized by the Asian Badminton Confederation (ABC), the European Badminton Union, (EBU), the Philippine Badminton Association (PBA) and International Management Group (IMG). The trailblazing tournament will feature a unique format bringing together the best badminton players of Asia and Europe to determine which of the two continents, the contending leaders in the world of badminton, truly rules the sport. The format is patterned after that of golf's Ryder Cup. The MVP Cup will capitalize on the popularity of National Team competitions such as the Thomas Cup and Sudirman Cup, but with one of the continents winning, rather than a specific country. The mixed team competition will pit top players from Asia against their European counterparts. Each team will consist of a maximum of 10 players as follows:    -- 2 x Men's Singles    -- 2 x Ladie's Singles    -- 1 x Men's Doubles Team    -- 1 x Ladie's Doubles Team