By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE tandem of Raj Jayalal and Ingrid Sanchez captured the last championship title at stake in the Traders Insurance/PTI Cup Badminton Tournament last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
Jayalal and Sanchez claimed the mixed doublesA/B crown after beating Ryan Achas and Elma Labuson in straight sets in the finals, 21-19, 21-21.
The eventual champions were undefeated in the tournament winning all their five games.
Jayalal and Sanchez played two games last Saturday downing Patrick Fieldad and Cristy Villaflor in the semis first to arrange a title duel with Achas and Labuson.
Jayalal and Sanchez dropped the opening set, 14-21, but grabbed the second and final championship ticket after sweeping the last two sets, 21-17, 21-17.
Achas and Labuson won the first finals slot after topping their pool with a 4-2 record, Fieldad and Villaflor earned the right to face Jayalal and Sanchez for the last finals seat after prevailing over Diana Dar Juan and Noel Wong, 19-21, 21-18, 21-18.
In the battle for third place, Erik Peña and Marlene Peraja topped Fieldad
and Villaflor, 21-14, 21-12.
The complete list of top winners in the inaugural Traders/PTI Cup included Alvin Alvarez and Eric Pena (Men’s B doubles), the duo Loida Ito and Cristy Villaflor (Women’s A/B division), Macoi Aguda and Jayalal (Men’s A), Narlou Achas and Ariel Mariano (Men’s C), Deborah Fisher and Camille Samonte (Women’s C) and Fisher and Milo Valdez (Mixed C).
Northern Marianas Badminton Federation thanked PTI and Traders for supporting their season-opening tournament.