Traders Insurance Badminton Team Tournament starts

Hostilities in the 2nd Traders Insurance Badminton Team Tournament began Saturday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The opening day pairings were the Gray Hawks vs. Bad Masters, D' Blue Powers vs. Badminton All-Stars, Smash Killers vs. the Red Dragon Shuttlers. and D' Bombers vs. Net Fighters.

The eight participating teams played the mixed doubles game first, followed by the men's singles, and men's and women's doubles.

Playing for the Gray Hawks in the opening day for the mixed doubles event were Annette Ta and Marvin Pullan, Bad Masters had the tandem of Irene Santiago and Louie Cielo, Malou Mendoza-Louis Camacho for the Shuttlers, Pauline Cielo-Keno Pablo for the Net Fighters, Riza Cano-Alfred Acosta for D' Blue Powers, Lupe Sabino-Roding Domingo for the Badminton All-Stars, and Merlie Tolentino-Puy Macario for the D'Bombers.

Results of the mixed doubles matches were unavailable at press time.

The eight squads will be playing in a round-robin format with the team with the most wins after seven games gaining the championship.

A win in each match will give a team one point. Six points are at stake per playing day.

Meanwhile, this year's team tournament organized by the Northern Marianas Badminton Federation kicked off with the parade of teams and a Best in Uniform competition.

The Red Dragons Shuttlers claimed the Best in Uniform award.

CNMI sports supporter Jerry Tan was among the judges in the Best in Uniform contest and delivered a brief message to participants.

Also making remarks at the opening ceremony was Traders Insurance president Lito Mendoza, who reiterated his company's support to badminton tournaments.

The Traders Insurance tournament is also supported by Shirley's Coffee Shop, Pacific Quick Print, Coral Ocean Point, PTI, Sun Palace Hotel, Wear-A-Marconi, Tropex, Dollar Days, and Labtech International. (saipan tribune)