By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE Traders Insurance/PTI Cup badminton tournament kicked off over the weekend at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym with seven pairs getting a good start.
Macoi Aguda and Raj Jayalal downed Marconi Calindas and Jim Lapuz in straight sets, 21-19, 21-15, in the Men’s A division to lead six other first round winners in the Northern Marianas Badminton Federation’s season-opening event.
Five pairs are entered in the Men’s A division, which has a round robin format. Three wins will give a team a slot in the next round of the tournament.
In the Men’s B division, Patrick Fieldad and Jojo Lazaro prevailed over Noli Santos and Noel Ong, 21-19, 21-17, while the duo of Eric Pena and Alvin Pineda tripped the pair of Rey Julongbayan and Jojo Savellano, 21-15, 21-17.
In the Men’s C division, Narlou Achas and Ariel Mariano bounced back from an opening set loss to thwart Sherwin Pasillos and Milo Valdez, 13-21, 21-9, 21-19.
Two games in the women’s A/B division were played over the weekend with Loida Ito and Cristy Villaflor defeating Diana Dar Juan and Shirley Kim, 21-15, 21-19.
Joining the winners’ circle were Elma Labuson and Ingrid Sanchez, who topped Janice Bungalos and Gigi Zapanta, 24-22, 21-16.
Six pairs are entered in the Women’s A/B division and four wins will guarantee a team a ticket to the next round.
There was only one match in the Mixed A/B division with Bungalos and Robert Reyes prevailing over Hapi Gabriel and Zapanta, 21-7, 21-11.
Twelve pairs will be battling for the Mixed A/B championship, which has a double-elimination format.
Games in the Traders Insurance/PTI Cup badminton tournament, which is also supported by Treasure Island, Pure Water and Admaran International, will resume tomorrow and on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Ada Gym.