In celebration of Father's Day NMBF will hold a game specially just for dads.
Entry fee and date of event to be announced later.
For more info and registration please see or contact tournamnet director Macoi Aguda @ 285-4117 or membership committee head Hapi Gabriel @ 287-4274.
Night Games schedules will be on THURSDAY (May 29) & SATURDAY (May 31) @ 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
We will keep you posted for any changes or any other schedules.
NMBF founder Jonathan Perez has left the CNMI on May 24 for his new job venture and to be with his family in the
Jon Perez founded the NMBF in 2005 and the group has rapidly grown to more than 150 players and more than 80 active members.
Every MOnday NMBF members get together for lunch at the house of each volunteer member.
Malou and Lito Mendoza's House
Juliet Ramos' House
Merlie & Jojo Savellano's House
Babes Cielo's House
Elma Labuson's House
Men’s A Doubles Champion – Priyantha Wijay and John Nguyen
Men's B Doubles
1st - Joseph Santos and Alvin Alvarez
2nd - Saul Gargallo and Roger Vales
3rd - Sherwin Samson and Ariel Mariano
Men's C Doubles
Champion - Paul Navarro and Efren Cacdac
Women's B Doubles
1st Babes Cielo and Loyda Ito
2nd Marlene Peraja and Emily Vargas
3rd Merlie Savellano and Camille Samote
Women's C Doubles
Champion - Angie Ito and Anna Rose Omori
Mixed doubles
Twelve pairs and one singles player in the seven divisions were awarded certificates, cash prizes and NMBF T-shirt for their feat.
Special guest performers of the evening were Tammy as Jennifer Holiday and Jolina as Patti Labelle. NMBF members Renren Santos, Noelle Wong, Eydie Uy, Juliet Ramos, Diane Darjuan and Hapi Gabriel displayed also their talent in their “Don’t Cha” dance number.
The event was also highlighted by a photomontage made by NMBF President Marconi Calindas and Membership Committee head Hapi Gabriel as a tribute to NMBF founder Jonathan Perez who has gone back to work in the Philippines.
More than 70 members and guests attended the celebration.
The inaugural tournament and the banquet were supported in part by Michelob-MARPAC, At Your Service, SaipanCell, JET Holdings, PFC International, PMIC, Serenity Salon, Elegance Café, NIC, Admaran International, Canton Restaurant, National Office Supply, Makeover Beauty Salon, Megavision, Venus Beauty Salon, Vargas Construction, Esolutions Inc., Philippine Consul General Wilfredo Maximo, Fiesta Resort & Spa and N.C. Matsumoto.
Some of the winners in the recently concluded Michelob-Ultra Badminton Tournament pose for a group photo. (Hapi Gabriel)By Jon Perez
Reporter
Women's B doubles champions Loyda Ito, left, and Babes Cielo celebrate their finals win against Marlene Peraja and Emily Vargas in last week's finals of the Inaugural Michelob Ultra Badminton Tournament at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Shirley Kim)
The Northern Marianas Badminton Federation will honor the winners of the recently concluded Inaugural Michelob Ultra Badminton Tournament today in a simple ceremony.
The banquet will be held at 6pm at the Chambre Bar at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan.
Six pairs and one singles player in the seven divisions were crowned during the May 6 finals at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
The inaugural tournament was supported in part by Michelob-MARPAC, At Your Service, SaipanCell, JET Holdings, PMIC, Serenity Salon, Elegance Café, NIC, Canton Restaurant, National Office Supply, Makeover Beauty Salon, Megavision, Venus Beauty Salon, Vargas Construction, Esolutions Inc., Philippine Consul General Wilfredo Maximo, and N.C. Matsumoto.
Leading the list of winners are Priyantha Wijayaguharatne, who won two titles in the men’s A singles title and then teamed up with John Nguyen to win the doubles crown.
Joining them are Joseph Santos and Alvin Alvarez in the men's B doubles while Babes Cielo and Loida Ito, who lost their opening game, swept their way to the women's B crown by winning their next six matches including a thrilling 21-16, 15-21, 21-19 decision against Marlene Peraja and Emily Vargas in the finals.
In the mixed doubles, Vales paired up with Malasarte to earn the title due to having the higher quotient among the five pairs that survived the single elimination round.
In the C class, the men's pair of Efren Cacdac and Paul Navarro, and the women's team of Angie Ito and Ana Rose Omori won their division titles without losing a match sweeping the elimination round en route to the finals win.
(Saipan Tribune)
Age Doesn’t Matter
Badminton: The New Fountain of Youth
Lupe Sabino, a soon-to-be septuagenarian, has discovered the fountain of youth: BADMINTON. The retired 69-year-old math teacher from As Lito started playing badminton at the ripe age of 68. She joined the Northern Marianas Badminton Federation (NMBF) in October 2006 and has been actively involved, serving most recently as a board member. We asked her some vital questions regarding her interests and how she discovered badminton:
Why did you choose badminton as your sport?
Members of NMBF are very friendly and accommodating. Badminton is great for socializing and of course, for exercise.
How often do you play badminton? I play 4-6 days a week for approximately 1-3 hours each day.
Do you play any other sports aside from badminton? Yes, I was the team captain in basketball, and a member of the track and field, ping pong, and swim team during high school. I also enjoyed tennis, volleyball, softball, and bowling in the 80's. I still go swimming once a week, golf at the 3-par course and dance ballroom several times a week.
Have you ever joined a badminton tournament? If so, have you ever won in competition? Yes, I won 2nd place in mixed double C category and 3rd place in women’s double C category.
Do you have children & grandchildren? Yes, I have 4 children: Angie, a general dentist; Henaro, Jr., a pediatric cardiologist; and Ma'Ann & Ma’Lou, oral and maxillofacial surgeons. I also have 7 grandchildren with an 8th on the way.
What do they think of you playing badminton? My children are very proud that I am actively participating in badminton and am engaged in competition. They appreciate the importance of exercise and socializing during all walks of life, especially during the golden years. When I visit them in the
What message can you give to people your age who also want to play badminton? Age does not matter. It’s your ATTITUDE, DETERMINATION, and INTEREST that counts. Whatever you feel like doing, by all means do it. Feel young at heart and you will never grow old!
In celebration of Mother’s Day, NMBF held a special game just for moms on May 9 at the Ada Gymnasium where six pairs of moms competed for the event in a single elimination format.
The pair of Ingrid Sanchez and Riza Cano grabbed the title after defeating the team-up of Babes Cielo and Ana Rose Omori that won 2nd place. While the pair of Juliet Ramos and Loyda placed third.
Winners of the competition received gift certificate and NMBF T-shirts.
The other pairs were: Shirley Kim and Malou Mendoza; Emily Vargas and Annette Ta; and, Elma Labuson and Lucelle Lampera.
By Jon Perez
Reporter
The Men's A division pairs of, from left, John Nguyen and Wijay Pruwajatan, Ryan Achas and Lito Mendoza, Macoi Aguda and Edwin Montoya pose for a group photo after Tuesday night's games in the Inaugural Michelob Ultra Badminton Tournament at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Contributed Photo)
The Inaugural Michelob Ultra Badminton Tournament wraps up today with champions in the five divisions set to be crowned when competition begin at 6pm at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
Aside from the finals of the five divisions, the knockout round of the mixed doubles class will also be played in the final day of the tournament, which is being supported in part by Michelob-MARPAC, At Your Service, SaipanCell, JET Holdings, PMIC, Serenity Salon, Elegance Café, NIC, Canton Restaurant, National Office Supply, Makeover Beauty Salon, Megavision, Venus Beauty Salon, Vargas Construction, Esolutions Inc., Philippine Consul General Wilfredo Maximo, and N.C. Matsumoto.
Tournament committee chair Macoi Aguda is requesting all players in the mixed doubles division to come on time since games will start promptly at 6pm.
Games in the mixed doubles will be played in a regular race-to-21 best-two-out-of-three sets.
The men's A doubles crown will be contested by the pairs of Lito Mendoza and Ryan Achas and Wijay Pruwajatan and John Ngyuen after they both finished with similar 3-1 records.
Pruwajatan and Nguyen got back at their opening round tormentors when they scored a 17-21, 21-13, 21-10 win over Achas and Mendoza on Tuesday night.
Tonight's game will again be expected to be a nail-biter as both pairs are aching to win the crown.
In the men's B division, Joseph Santos and Alvin Alvarez are waiting for their finals opponent after they compiled a 5-1 record, losing only by default against Ariel Mariano and Sherwin Samson.
Santos and Alvarez ended their campaign with a 31-27 win over the duo of Saul Gargallo and Roger Vales.
The teams of Mariano and Samson, Gargallo and Vales, and Robert Reyes and Gerry Balarao, will contest the second finals berth.
In other men's B division games last Tuesday, Samson and Mariano scored consecutive wins over the pairs of June Pineda and Jojo Savellano, 31-20, and Gary Bandoja and Aries Cordero, 31-28.
Reyes and Balarao also defeated Bandoja and Cordero, 31-15, while winning by default against Erick Peña and Jonathan Perez.
The duo of Babes Cielo and Loyda Ito will face off with the tandem of Marlene Peraja and Emily Vargas in the finals after both teams finished with identical 5-1 cards.
It was an amazing comeback for Cielo and Ito after suffering a 28-31 loss to Samonte and Savellano on opening day. They went on to win their next five games, ending their campaign with a 31-9 demolition of the pair of Elma Labuson and the come-backing Janice Bungalos.
Peraja and Vargas wrapped up their assignments with consecutive wins against Lanie Bartolome and Lot Abuel, 31-24, and Juliet Ramos and Janis Parcon, 31-17.
Savellano and Samonte earned some consolation as they will meet Shirley Kim and Malou Malasarte in the battle for third place.
Savellano and Samonte defeated Labuson and Bungalos, 31-13, and Bartolome and Abuel, 31-29, in the final day of the elimination round. Kim and Malasarte escaped with a 31-25 decision against Ramos and Parcon.
The pairs of Paul Navarro and Efren Cacdac and Angie Ito and Ana Rose Omori enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in the men's and women's C division finals.
Navarro and Cacdac will meet Obet Aguilar and Sherwin Pusillos in the men's C final, while Ito and Omori will once again test the partnership of Lucelle Lampera and Lherie Galvan.
Navarro and Cacdac ended their campaign with a 21-13, 21-8 crushing of Rick Brien and Cris Hilario, while Ito and Omori grinded out a 21-12, 22-24, 21-13 triumph over Lampera and Galvan.
(Saipan Tribune)
For sale $10.00
Badnewz is the official newsletter of NMBF that brings an up-to-date news about the organization and provides useful badminton information.
To get your free copy please see Membership Committee head and Badnewz editor Hapi Gabriel
Badnewz May Issue is sponsored by Traders Insurance.
By Jon Perez
Reporter
From left, Ryan Achas, Pruwajatan Wijay, Lito Mendoza, and John Nguyen pose for the camera after their men's A division game in the Inaugural Michelob Ultra Badminton Tournament last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
The tournament is supported in part by Michelob-MARPAC, At Your Service, SaipanCell, JET Holdings, PMIC, Serenity Salon, Elegance Café, NIC, Canton Restaurant, National Office Supply, Makeover Beauty Salon, Megavision, Venus Beauty Salon, Vargas Construction, Esolutions Inc., Philippine Consul General Wilfredo Maximo, and NC Matsumoto.
Achas and Mendoza notched win No. 3 in the men's A division after dealing the pair of Macoi Aguda and Edwin Montoya a 17-21, 17-21 setback.
Unlike their first game, Achas and Mendoza made sure there won't be anymore comebacks from their opponents to force a third set by finishing them off right away.
But Aguda and Montoya did not give up without a fight and stood their ground against their first round tormentors as Achas and Mendoza were forced to work for their points.
Pruwajatan Wijay and John Nguyen added to Aguda and Montoya's woes when they scored a 21-15, 21-10 win to bounce back from a stinging three-set loss to Achas and Mendoza last April 22.
Achas and Mendoza won the first set but Wijay and Nguyen bounced back in the second set to force a rubber in a Philippines vs South Asia match.
In the end, Achas and Mendoza had enough gas left in their tanks as they hammered Nguyen's backhand side to force Wijay's partner to commit three errors to squeeze out a 21-18 win.
In the men's B division, Joseph Santos and Alvin Alvarez won by walkover against Eric Peña and Jonathan Perez. Santos and Alvarez, earlier, lost by default against Ariel Mariano and Sherwon Samson, who also won by walkover against Peña and Perez.
Robert Reyes and Gerry Balarao eked out a 32-30 win over Saul Gargallo and Roger Vales. Gargallo and Vales rebounded with a 31-28 triumph over June Pineda and Jojo Savellano, who earlier scored a 31-28 decision against Reyes and Balarao.
In the women's B class, Shirley Kim and Malou Malasarte pulled off a thrilling 32-30 victory over sisters Lani Bartolome and Lot Abuel, who also suffered a 31-23 beating from Loida Ito and Babes Cielo.
The Ito-Cielo tandem are slowly knowing each other's games as they scored their third straight win with a 31-28 decision against Kim and Malasarte.
Elma Labuson and Janice Bungalos bounced back from a dismal performance in their last game and cruised to a 31-15 win over Janis Parcon and Juliet Ramos, who also suffered a 31-22 beating from Merlie Savellano and Cammille Samonte.
In the men's C, Obeth Aguilar and Sherwin Pusillos settled their score against Paul Navarro and Efren Cacdac with a hard-earned 21-19, 19-21, 21-13 win.
Aguilar and Pusillos made it two in a row on Saturday when they overcame a first loss and pulled off a 17-21, 21-15, 21-10 win over Rick Brien and Cris Hilario.
Angelie Ito and Ana Rose Omori also remain undefeated in the women's C division after a 21-13, 21-11 triumph over Irene Santiago and Aneth Ta. Lherie Galvan and Lucelle Lampera added to Santiago and Ta's woes when they scored a 21-19, 21-9 decision.
The men's Class A and C divisions follow a double round-robin format since it is only consist of three pairs, while the men's and women's B, and mixed doubles will have a double elimination round.
The tournament is held every Saturday and Tuesday only with the play dates slated on April 19, 22, 26, and 29, and May 3 and 6. A defaulting time of 15 minutes will be followed in the tournament.
The elimination round games will follow one set of race-to-31 points in both the doubles and mixed doubles events. The quarter, semis, and finals will follow the regular scoring consisting of three-set matches of 21 points.
(Saipan Tribune)
By Jon Perez
Reporter
Ryan Achas, left, prepares to serve while Lito Mendoza waits for the return in this file photo taken in last year's Trader's/PTI Cup Badminton Tournament. (Mark Rabago)
The Men's A division team of Lito Mendoza and Ryan Achas led seven other pairs that won their opening round matches at the start of the 1st Annual Michelob Ultra Badminton Tournament last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
Mendoza and Achas, who also teamed up in last year's Traders/PTI Cup where they placed second to Macoi Aguda and Raj Jayalal, are aiming for their first title when they go up against two other pairs.
They avenged their last year's finals loss to Aguda, who this time partnered with Edwin Montoya.
Mendoza and Achas scored a hard-earned 21-16, 21-23, 21-10 win over the Aguda-Montoya tandem.
Fans were treated to a period of long rallies, excellent net plays, and baseline shots as both pairs treated the match as if it was already a championship game.
Mendoza and Achas managed to squeeze out a 21-16 win in the first set and was two points away in wrapping up the contest in the second set when Aguda and Montoya turned things around to force a deciding third frame.
Leading 19-15, and match point at 20-18, Mendoza and Achas allowed Aguda and Montoya score the points they need to tie the count at 20-all. In badminton, in case of a tie at 20-all the first player or pair to score the next two points wins the set or match.
That comeback was highlighted by Aguda's jump smash of an Achas return to end the set and force a rubber.
Fatigue, however, tolled heavily for Aguda and Montoya as Mendoza and Achas opened up with an early eight-point lead that they never relinquish en route to wrapping up the match at 21-10.
The Men's and Women's B divisions pair of Joseph Santos and Alvin Alvarez, and Marlene Peraja and Emily Vargas became tournament early favorites after winning their first two matches.
Santos and Alvarez scored similar close wins over the tandem of June Pineda and Jojo Savellano, 31-26, and the duo of Robert Reyes and Gerry Balarao, 31-28.
Peraja and Vargas opened up with a 31-19 win over Shirley Kim and Malou Malasarte then scored a 31-18 triumph against Merlie Savellano and Camille Samonte.
Savellano and Samonte first defeated Loyda Ito and Babes Cielo, 31-28. Ito and Cielo bounced back with a 31-24 decision against Janis Parcon and Juliet Ramos.
In other Men's B division games, the Eric Peña-Jonathan Perez tandem scored a 31-18 victory over Gary Bandoja and Aries Cordero, while Roger Vales and Saul Gargallo squeezed out a 31-26 win over Sherwin Samson and Ariel Mariano.
In Women's B, Elma Labuson and Janice Bungalos won by default against the pair of sisters Lot Abuel and Lanie Bartolome.
In Men's C, Efren Cacdac and Paul Navarro scored a 20-22, 21-12, 21-12 win over Obet Aguilar and Sherwin Pasillos, while in the women's division 16-year-old Angie Ito teamed up with Anna Rose Omori in scoring a 21-11, 21-8 demolition of Irene Santiago and Annette Ta.
Badminton action returns tomorrow when the 2nd Annual Northern Marianas Badminton Federation Doubles Tournament kicks off at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
The tournament is supported in part by Michelob, MARPAC, JET Holdings, SaipanCell, At Your Service, Serenity Salon, Elegance Café, NIC, Canton Restaurant, National Office Supply, Makeover Beauty Salon, Megavision, Nathan Clarke Matsumoto, and the tournament committee.
The men's Class A and B divisions will follow a round-robin format since it is only consist of three pairs, while the men's and women's B, and mixed doubles will have a double elimination round.
The tournament will be held every Saturday and Tuesday only with the play dates slated on April 19, 22, 26, and 29, and May 3 and 6. A defaulting time of 15 minutes will be followed in the tournament.
The elimination round games will follow one set of race-to-31 points in both the doubles and mixed doubles events. The quarter, semis, and finals will follow the regular scoring consisting of three-set matches of 21 points.
Here is the list of 43 competing teams for the 1st Annual Michelob Ultra Badminton Tournament
Class A (Men’s Doubles)
Wijay Priyawatan / John Nguyen
Lito Mendoza / Ryan Achas
Macoi Aguda / Edwin Montoya
Class B (Men’s Doubles)
Joseph Santos / Alvin Alvarez
Roger Valez / Saul Gargallo
Eric Pena / Jonathan Perez
Robert Reyes / Gerry Balarao
June Pineda / Jojo Savellano,
Sherwin Samson / Ariel Mariano
Gary Bandoja / Aries Cordero
Class B (Women’s Doubles)
Marlene Peraja / Emily Vargaz
Juliet Ramos / Janis Parcon
Elma Labuson / Janice Bungalos
Shirley Kim / Malou Malasarte
Merlie Savellano / Jaja Samonte,
Babes Cielo / Loyda Ito
Lanie Bartolome /
Class C (Men’s Doubles)
Obet Aguilar / Sherwin Pusillos
Rick Bien / Cris Hilario
Efren Cacdac / Paul Navarro
Class C (Women’s Doubles)
Irene Santiago / Annette Ta
Lucelle Lampera / Lherie Galvan
Angeli Ito / Ana Rose Omori
Mixed Doubles
Merlie Savellano / Rick Brien
Loyda Ito / Efren Cacdac
Marlene Peraja / Obet Aguilar
Shirley Kim / Sherwin Pusillos
Gary Bandoja / Lucelle Lampera
Joseph Santos / Lherie Galvan
Saul Gargallo / Ana Rose Omori
Robert Reyes / Irene Santiago
Eric Pena / Angelie Ito
Sherwin Samson / Annette Ta
Jonathan Perez / Janice Parcon
Alvin Alvarez / Elma Labuson
Aries Cordero / Emily Vargas
Ariel Mariano / Babes Cielo
Jojo Savellano / Jaja Samonte
Gerry Balarao /
Roger Valez / Malou Malasarte
June Pineda / Janice Bungalos
Lanie Bartolome / Cris Hilario
Juliet Ramos / Paul Navarro
The NMBF 1st annual Michelob Badminton tournament opened last April 19 at the
The opening ceremony started at 6:00 pm where Division of Sports and Recreation representative Joe Mettao as the guest speaker. The Tournament and Finance Committee led the entrance of the players and followed by the
NMBF president Marconi Calindas gave his brief opening remarks and recognized Tournament Committee head Macoi Aguda and his members for the success of the event.
NMBF founder and former President Jonathan Perez led the Oath of Sportsmanship while Macoi Aguda declared the tournament open. The actual games started at 7pm.
43 teams are competing in the men’s, women’s and mixed divisions, which are spread out in the A, B, and C level.
The players will follow a round robin format. Class A and C will follow the regular scoring consisting of three-set matches of 21 points while both Class B men’s and women’s elimination round games will follow one of race-to-31 points.
The NMBF is a three-year-old organization that aims to develop badminton at the grassroots level and hopefully in the next five years, send one or two local players as representatives to international competitions.
The NMBF is also trying to promote the Olympic sport of badminton, especially to the local youth. The NMBF has grown rapidly to a total of 150 players and 80 members since its creation in Feb. 24, 2005.
The NMBF’s partners in this year’s first tournament are Michelob MARPAC, JET Holdings, Saipan Cell, At Your Service, Serenity Salon, Elegance Café, NIC, Canton Restaurant, National Office Supply, Make-Over Beauty Salon, Megavision, Nathan Clarke Matsumoto, and the Tournament Committee headed by Macoi Aguda.
The Tournament will be held every Saturday and Tuesday and expected to end on May 6.
