HOPWOOD Middle School 1’s Hilitais are off to a strong start in the TakeCare Interscholastic Middle School Badminton League after collecting a total of 23 team points Saturday at the TSL Sports Complex.
HOP 1 started their win streak in the boys double with Tyrone Manipon and John Quidato outscoring Francisco M. Sablan Middle School’s Abdul Munim and Wasee Anas in a race to 11 in two sets.
In the first set, the HOP 1 pair had a rough start as they could not find their rhythm.
Manipon led the first half of exchanges with six points but was then answered by FMS’ Anas who excelled in smashes.
For his part, Quidato finally showed confidence as he scored five points to give HOP an 11-9 win in the first set.
HOP 1 rode the momentum in the second set as they maintained the pressure with continuous offensive attacks.
The FMS Napu Riders had a promising start in the second set but then lost touch midway and were left silent while HOP 1’s Manipon and Quidato highlighted the remaining exchanges to clinch victory, 11-6, and earn three points for their team.
Unmatched
HOP 1 prolonged their dominance with Shemariah Hicaro and Teresa Ahn defeating FMS’ Sisther Fred and Kheani Blas in two sets.
Ahn’s skills were simply unmatched. Her ability to return with precision and add smashes for the strong finish was more than enough to clinch the first set for her team, 11-3.
Although FMS showed some fight in the second set, Ahn continued her offensive onslaught as HOP bagged the second set, 11-4, and garner three more team points.
Ahn’s momentum continued in her girls singles match against FMS’ Shaina Malonzo, winning 11-6, 11-2.
HOP 1’s fourth win of the day was earned by Manipon and Ahn who took both sets of their mixed doubles match against FSM’s Munim and Crisha Marciano 11-3, 11-4.
Nail-biter
But FMS prevented a HOP 1 sweep, thanks to Wasee Anas’ three-set, nail-biting battle against Tyron Quidato in their men’s singles match.
Anas topped the first set 11-8 while Quidato evened the match by winning the second set 11-8.
The final set came down to the wire but in the end, Anas triumphed with a clutch finish to defeat Quidato 11-10 and hand the Napu Riders their very first win which was worth two team points.
HOP 1 vs SIS
Also on Saturday, HOP 1 played against Saipan International School and won three of the five matches to earn 10 team points.
One of the SIS Geckos’ two wins was delivered by Lina Takugoshi and Julie Chavez in their girls doubles match against Hicaro and Ahn, 11-6, 11-6.
For his part, SIS’ Peter White defeated HOP 1’s John Austin in three sets, 11-6, 7-11, 11-7.
Hopwood 1’s Teresa Ahn and Shemariah Hicaro play against FMS in the girls doubles division of the TakeCare Interscholastic Middle School Badminton League on Saturday at the TSL Sports Complex.
Hopwood 1’s Tyrone Manipon is ready for the return in a boys singles match on Saturday at the TSL Sports Complex.
