Badminton: 2 in a row for SIS

SAIPAN International School celebrated twice in the finale of the TakeCare Interscholastic Badminton League as not only their middle school, but their high school team as well claimed the championship after beating Marianas High School 1 three games to two Saturday at TSL Sports Complex.

SIS did not start strong as it was MHS 1 that drew first blood in the opening boys doubles match. The MHS duo of Pony Tang and Paulo Quidato outscored SIS’ Andy Kim and Matthew Berline 21-12, 21-15.

MHS 1 tried to keep the momentum flowing in the girls doubles match as Seiyul Hong and Arisa Custodio went to great lengths against SIS’ Kaithlyn Chavez and Lina Takugoshi in a three-set battle.

The first game had spectators on their feet as both teams were evenly matched. But in the final few possessions, it was MHS 1 that triumphed as Hong scored the last six points, 21-19, to bag the first-set win.

Fortunately for SIS, the loss sparked a comeback. Chavez and Takugoshi kept their heads up and covered each other’s back with positioning and communication to snag the second set 21-18.

SIS kept the flame burning in the third set with Takugoshi taking over to deliver the last six points and beat MHS 1, 21-16.

In the singles match, both teams remained as equals. MHS 1’s Quidato outlasted SIS’ Kim in a three-set exchange in the boys singles, but Chavez was able to even the score as she defeated Hong in the girls singles match. Both teams remained tied, 2-2.

Then in the fifth and final game, a mixed doubles match, SIS’ Chavez and Berline went up against MHS 1’s Ian Lubao and Custodio.

Early in the first set, several lead exchanges were made. But during the last few possessions, Chavez found her groove and finished strong to deliver the last six points as SIS secured victory in the first set, 21-13.

MHS 1 picked up the pace in the second set and went the distance. However, their efforts were not enough as SIS’ pair worked in unison to pull away with the victory, 21-18, and secure the  high school division championship.

In the battle for third place, MHS 2’s steady run  took down Saipan Southern High School, three games to two.

MHS 2 won the girls singles, boys singles and boys doubles while SSHS claimed the girls doubles and mixed doubles.

Published by Marianas Variety – Mar 17, 2022