Salcedo, Jimenez smash into U19 doubles championship

Kyle Salcedo and Sernantie Jimenez reigned supreme in the U19 boys doubles of the TanHoldings Badminton Open 2024 held over the weekend at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Salcedo and Jimenez swept Sean Dizon and Brandon Manacop in the finals, 21-20, 21-18, to claim the title. Marlon Bautista and Dave Odicta completed the Top 3 in the single-bracket, double-elimination eight-team division.

Salcedo, a 17-year-old Marianas High School student, said constant communication was important in their victory in the U19 boys doubles.

“Communication is key which is true and works in any form or partnership or teamwork. Me and my partner’s strategy was to play smart, attack when we can, and apply pressure from time to time. Be patient don’t rush things and we try to communicate with each other which we did and it worked in our favor,” said Salcedo, who dedicated the victory to his doubles partner.

Jimenez, 15 years old and also goes to MHS, said focus saved the day for him and his double teammate Salcedo.

“My strategy the whole game was to have a strong mindset and to stay calm so I am able to play accurate shots. It worked well as me and my partner Kyle Salcedo won first for the U19 boys doubles.”

Aside from Salcedo, Jimenez also dedicated their win to coaches Janelle Pangelinan, Ezekiel Macario, Nathan Guerrero, and Leonard Manuel, his girlfriend Vianca Mangulabnan as well as friends and family who have supported his badminton journey.

In boys U19 singles, Dizon defeated Ean Camacho in the finals, 21-18, 21-14.

Dizon topped Bracket 1, which had eight players, while Camacho ruled Bracket 2, which also had eight players. Salcedo then defeated his doubles teammate, Jimenez, 21-19, 18-21, 21-18, for third place.

“My strategy was placements. Placing my shots on my opponent’s opening spots and targeting their weaknesses such as their backhand. I also tried to build long rallies to tire them out to set myself up to attack and get the next shots,” said Dizon when asked what was his strategy going into the competition.

The 18-year-old MHS student then dedicated his boys UI19 singles championship to his mother, who helps buy his badminton gear.

In the U19 girls singles, Lina Tsukagoshi defeated Genelyn Lansangan in straight sets, 21-12, 21-18.

Tsukagoshi advanced to the finals by ruling Bracket 1. She beat Jessica Chen and Yi Lin Huang (twice). Lansangan, meanwhile, saw action in Bracket 2 and reached the finals after downing Barbara Wang. Lansangan defeated Elisha Henzon and Wang (twice) to move to the finals. Wang then topped Huang, 21-16, 21-15, for third place.

Shaina Malonzo and Charmaine Bautista, meanwhile, ruled the U19 girls doubles after a 21-20, 21-11 victory over

Lansangan and Prapti Mondal. Shemariah Hicaro and Lallayne Torregoza then settled for third after losing to Modal and Lansangan in the loser’s bracket semis, 21-18, 21-17.

In the U19 mixed doubles, Tsukagoshi won another title, this time teaming up with Bautista in defeating Malonzo and Brandon Manacop in the finals, 21-16, 21-18. Camacho and Mondal took third place after losing to Malonzo and Bautista in the loser’s semis bracket, 18-21, 21-17, 16-21.

Results of the open division of the Northern Marianas Badminton Association-organized tournament will be published in the next edition of the Saipan Tribune.