Leading the men’s class-A division is Dick Guintu at four wins and no losses, who defeated Ferdie Arago in three sets last Sunday. The Saipan Badminton Club player fell 11-21 in set one but claimed set two, 21-19 and secured the game with a 21-18 victory. Arago’s record remains even at two wins and two losses.
In two straight games last Thursday, Guintu dominated Mario Diola, 21-15, 21-6 and Sam Jones, 21-14, 21-5. Guintu bagged his first win from Andrew Galvez (21-20, 21-10) in June 8.
Meanwhile, men’s B1 players Gary Bondoja (Saipan BC) and Berks Blazers Badminton Club’s Saul Gargalo are neck-and-neck at four wins apiece.
Gargalo outran Santos, 21-13, 21-12 to hand him his third loss on Thursday. Saul also downed Golden Racquet Badminton Club’s Edwin Montoya (21-12, 21-12) and Diola (21-20, 21-20) last week.
Despite Bondoja’s recent doubles loss to Santos and Jones (18-21, 21-17, 12-21), his singles streak remains unbeaten. Bondoja crushed Erik Pena and Montoya in consecutive games on Wednesday and defeated Noli Santos (21-12, 21-12) over the weekend.
In the women’s class-A division, Choi Hannah leads her group with three wins. Shirley’s BC’s Malou Malasarte didn’t stand a chance after losing to Hannah, 21-15, 21-7 last Sunday. The veteran Saipan BC netter took separate victories from Loyda and Angie Ito.
Also holding perfect records were class-B player Marylyn Montano (four wins), Shirley’s Badminton Club’s Cris Obaldo (four wins), men’s B2 player Cris Hilario (four wins), Ezekiel Macario (four wins), and Gerome Malasarte (class-C, three wins).
Semifinals in the women’s singles C and B divisions will start tomorrow, along with the men’s class B and C singles.
