NMBF awards banquet tomorrow evening at Club V

The awards banquet for the recently concluded Inaugural Northern Marianas Badminton Federation Tournament will be held this Saturday, Oct. 28, at Club V of the Saipan Grand Hotel.

The awards banquet, which would also serve as induction ceremony for the association’s current officers, will be start promptly at 6pm and is expected to wrap up before 9pm. The awards banquet costs $10 for NMBF members and $12 for guests.

The NMBF originally scheduled the event for last Oct. 21, but postponed the awards banquet to allow organizers to better prepare.

NMBF’s current officers is led by president Jonathan Perez, vice president Edwin Montoya, secretary Arcie Balagtas, assistant secretary Diane Dar Juan, treasurer Jinky De Belen, auditor Chris Lubi, PRO Mark Rabago, and board members.

The NMBF crowned champions in the men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles during its Inaugural NMBF Tournament, which was held from Oct. 9 to 14 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Priyawathan Wijay and Dar Juan took the men’s and women’s singles titles, while Janice Bunaglos and Macoi Aguda finished runners-up. Third place went to Raj Jayalal and Cleofe Santos.

Wijay then teamed up with Ryan Achas to win the men’s doubles. Jayalal and Erick Pena were second, while Aguda and Marconi Calindas finished third.

Bungalos and Gigi Zapanta claimed the women’s doubles tiara after outlasting the eventual second place team of Dar Juan and Merle Savellano. Third place went to the team of Cristy Villaflor and Shirley Kim.

Aguda and Bungalos then reigned supreme in the mixed doubles, followed by Edwin Montoya and Villaflor, while Jayalal and Elma Labusan were third.

First, second, and third place in singles will be awarded medals, while the Top 3 in doubles will receive trophies.

The Inaugural NMBF Tournament was sponsored by Coca-Cola Beverage Co. Inc., Aqua Resort Club, Fiesta Resort & Spa, Pacific Amusement, Pacific Islands Club, YCO Corp.-Jollibee, Pacific Telecom, Inc. Micronesian Brokers Inc., Jhem’s Restaurant, Shirley’s Coffee Shop, and Danielle’s Massage and Beauty Salon.

In related news, the NMBF schedule at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium this weekend is limited to Sunday from 10pm to 3pm.

For more information about the NMBF, the awards banquet on Oct. 28, or the practice schedule this weekend, contact De Belen at 287-5686, Montoya at 288-1436, or Rabago at 235-2440 loc. 134, or email at NMBF@yahoogroups.com.[B][I] (PR)[/I][/B]