THE opening day of the Northern Marianas International 2025 truly put NMI players to the test, with some tasting victory while others suffered defeat in their respective matches on Tuesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
NMI’s Daniell Pablo’s debut in the men’s singles turned out to be one of his toughest matches yet, as he battled through three sets to avoid elimination against Guam’s Yu Xia.
The first set was tightly contested, with Xia establishing early control through quick returns and well-timed placements to go up 6-2. Pablo, however, refused to let Xia pull away, slowing the pace and unleashing powerful smashes to close the gap, eventually bringing the score to 15-14.
Despite the back-and-forth down the stretch, Pablo’s costly errors kept him trailing, and he ultimately dropped the first set, 21-18.
However, the setback appeared to fuel Pablo’s performance in the second set. Returning as the aggressor, he controlled the pace and possession, building momentum with a seven-point run to dominate the frame, 21-9.
The decisive third set saw both players battling for an early advantage, but Pablo once again pulled ahead midway through, scoring six straight points at one stretch and ultimately sealing the win, 21-8 — eliminating Xia from contention.
Joining Pablo in the winner’s circle of the men’s singles were NMI’s Rolando Gallardo, who defeated Tahiti’s Teo Chagnot in straight sets, 21-15, 23-21, and NMI’s Brandon Manacop, who overcame Guam’s Corey Lei, 21-13, 23-21.
In the women’s singles, only 15-year-old Lina Tsukagoshi emerged victorious for Team NMI, outlasting the Cook Islands’ Arihoia Sprague-Marsters with late-game rallies to take both sets, 21-16, 21-17.
It was a tough day for these NMI players:
• Genelyn Lansangan, who fell to Japan’s Nanaho Kondo, 21-3, 21-7;
• Andrew Zapata, who lost to Tahiti’s Mike You, 21-5, 21-7;
• Sean Dizon, who bowed to Chinese Taipei’s Tung Hsu, 21-5, 21-9;
• Andreau Galvez, who was defeated by Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Yu-Han, 21-6, 21-5;
• Marlon Bautista, who was edged by the Cook Islands’ Kaiyin Mataio, 23-21, 21-19;
• Nolan Nate, who lost to the Cook Islands’ Jay Xuan, 21-14, 21-7;
• Evan Seguritan, who was defeated by the Cook Islands’ Zhi-Ron Tan, 21-4, 21-8; and,
• Minul Hoque, who was trounced by Korea’s Park Sihyun, 21-1, 21-4.
NMI’s Daniell Pablo winds up for a powerful smash return against Guam’s Yu Xia during a men’s singles match of the Northern Marianas International 2025 at the Ada gym on Tuesday.
Northern Marianas Badminton Association photo
NMI’s Genelyn Lansangan extends for the forehand return during a women’s singles match of the Northern Marianas International 2025 at the Ada Gym on Tuesday.
Northern Marianas Badminton Association photo
NMI’s Rolando Gallardo winds up for a smash return against Tahiti’s Teo Chagnot during a men’s singles match of the Northern Marianas International 2025 at the Ada gym on Tuesday.
Northern Marianas Badminton Association photo
