All-Stars shine in Traders Tourney

Green All-Stars topped the 2nd Traders Insurance Badminton Team Tournament after a dominating performance in the last day of competition Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

After nearly sweeping Dragon Shuttlers, 5-1, in the penultimate day of the round-robin tournament Friday, the All-Stars still had enough juice to squeeze out a 5-1 triumph over D'Bombers to finish the annual event with a 30-12 record.

The All-Stars were two wins ahead of eventual second placer Smash Killers (28-13).

Smash Killers and All-Stars entered the final day of competition with the latter ahead by only a win. But Smash Killers failed to grab the lead and the championship when they won only four games against Gray Hawks, 4-2. Gray Hawks settled for third place with a 23-18 slate.

The Top 3 teams will receive trophies at the Northern Marianas Badminton Federation's Christmas party later this month.

Green All-Stars secured the championship after sweeping their first five matches.

Christy Villaflor teamed up with Ruby Gozon in the women's doubles BC and the duo downed Emily Vargas and Merlie Tolentino, 21-17, 19-21, 21-9.

Gerry Balarao and Jojo Savellano swept Aries Montano and Arnel Bansagale in the men's doubles BB, 21-5, 21-14, to make it 2-0 for the All-Stars.

Debra Fischer gave the All-Stars their third win after thumping Marilyn Montano in the women's singles B, 21-13, 22-20.

In the mixed doubles AB, team captain Edwin Montoya joined forces with Leo Estinopo to beat Eric Pena and Montano, 21-11, 22-20.

Montoya also played in the men's doubles AB and teamed up with Balarao in defeating Pena and Montano, 21-18, 21-16.

Vargas and Pena foiled the All-Stars' bid for a sweep when they outclassed Fischer and Roding Domingo, 21-17, 21-16, 22-20.

Smash Killers remained in second place after winning in the women's singles B, mixed doubles AB and BC, and men's doubles AB.

In other results on the final day, Bad Masters prevailed over the Red Dragon Shuttlers, 4-2.

The Bad Masters finished fourth overall with their 21-21 record, while Shuttlers placed sixth tying the Net Fighters with identical 18-24 slates.

Blue Powers claimed the No. 5 spot with their 20-22 record after outlasting Net Fighters, 4-2, on the last day of the tournament.

D'Bombers finished last with their 10-32 mark.
(saipan tribune)