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IT&E sponsors badminton season opener
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Posted on Feb 25 2020
Yoko Borja hits a shot near the net during her and Elna Curate’s doubles game against Loida Ito and Merlie Savellano in the IT&E Badminton Tournament 2020 last Saturday at the TSL Sports Complex. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Northern Marianas Badminton Association held its first competition of the season with the staging of the IT&E Badminton Tournament 2020 last weekend at the TSL Sports Complex.
The IT&E-sponsored event featured a doubles contest in six divisions: women’s and men’s BB, men’s AB, women’s C, and mixed AB and BB categories.
In the women’s BB doubles, duo of Janelle Pangilinan and Yoko Borja prevailed over three other pairs. Pangilinan, who suited up the CNMI National Team in last year’s Pacific Games in Samoa, and Borja reached the finals after beating Miles Guerrero and Lanie Bartolome, 21-18, 21-17, and went on to clinch the division crown following another victory over Jaja Samonte and Windy Fernandez, 23-11, 19-21, 21-17.
Janelle also played in the mixed AB doubles with Bryan Charlson and they defeated Jordan Pangilinan and Guerrero in the finals, 25-27, 22-20, 21-19.
In the mixed BB doubles finals, Fernandez teamed up with Cris Hilario and they needed only two games to down Jeff Riman and Cristy Villaflor, 21-14. Earlier in the semis, Hilario and Fernandez topped Shirley Kim and Ronnie Lacbayo, while Villaflor and Riman won over Roger Vales and Loida Ito.
Daniel Macario receives a shot from Chris Hilario during their game in the IT&E Badminton Tournament 2020 last Saturday at the TSL Sports Complex. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Hilario got his second championship in NMBA’s season opener after partnering with Patrick Fernandez in outclassing Janelle and Villaflor in the men’s BB doubles finals, 19-21, 21-14, 21-15.
Patrick also earned his second title, as he joined forces with Ferdie Arago in ruling the men’s AB doubles division. Arago and Fernandez bagged the championship following a 21-19, 21-14 triumph against Daniel Macario and Walker.
Completing the champions list of last weekend’s tournament were Ito and Merlie Savellano, who downed Elna Curate and Borja, 21-18, 19-21, 21-17, and Villaflor and Bartolome, 21-18, 21-19.
Winners in the six divisions were honored in a brief awards ceremony last night, while NMBA acknowledged IT&E’s support to the group’s first competition for 2020.
“Our sincerest thanks to IT&E for their continued support to our program. They have been sponsoring our tournament in the last five years and it its through generous companies like them that we are able to provide opportunities to our players,” NMBA president Merlie Tolentino said.
