Stage is set for HS badminton playoffs

The playoffs stage is set for the NMBA-PSS Co-ed High School Interscholastic Badminton League 2023-2024.

Marianas High School 1, Agape Christian School 2, ACS 1, Saipan Southern High School 1, Kagman High School 1, and Grace Christian Academy 1 are the last teams standing as they wrap up the season and are vying at a shot for the title.

Last Saturday, SSHS 1 routed ACS 2, 4-1, after they won the men’s doubles, women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles events. SSHS 1 next faced off against MHS 1. MHS 1 then defeated them in a close 3-2 matchup to advance to the semis. MHS 1 won the men’s doubles, men’s singles, and women’s doubles events.

KHS 1 beat GCA 1, 3-2, to advance against ACS 1, but fell to them in similar fashion, 3-2. ACS notched wins in the women’s doubles, women’s singles, and men’s doubles events.

Today, MHS 1 will face off against ACS 1; then it’s GCA 1 vs. SSHS 1; and ACS 2 vs. KHS 1.

Winners will advance to the final matchups on Saturday, March 2. The semis are scheduled to start at 8:30am, followed by the championship round at 10:15am. The awards ceremony is set for 1pm.

MHS 1 of Bracket 1 is atop the leaderboard with 20 points, followed by Bracket 2’s ACS 1 at 16 points. Bracket 2’s SSHS 1 and Bracket 3’s KHS 1 are tied with 15 points; and ACS 2 and GCA 1 are at 14 points apiece.

MHS 1 consists of Abigael Robles, Ruth Bautista, Prapti Mondal, Vianca Mangulabnan, Brandon Manacop, Dave Odicta, Sernantie Jimenez, Paulo Quidato, and Marlon Bautista.

The league wrapped up its round-robin matches last Feb. 24.

Last season’s champions were the old MHS 1 team that defeated their sister team MHS 2.