JEDDAH, 25 January — The All-Filipino Tennis Players Association (AFTPA) in cooperation with the major sponsor Najran Natural Mineral Water honored the winners of the recently concluded 2nd Najran Natural Mineral Water — 14th AFTPA Year-End Team Tennis Tournament. The prize giving ceremony held at the Kandara Palace Hotel was anchored by Rod Ramelb I for a three hours glittering program on Dec. 14 2001.
The ceremony was graced by Vice Consul Angelo Amonoy, Abdul Rahman M. Al Hagas, the Marketing and Sales Manager of the tourney major sponsor Najran Natural Mineral Water delivered his inspirational speech while Naveed Ahmed Retail Manager of Reebok, one of the sponsors, handed over Reebok gift certificates to all the champions.
This event was officially sponsored by Najran Natural Mineral Water, co-sponsors were Gandour, Pepsi Cola Bugshan, Reebok Saudi Arabia, and friends of AFTPA.
The results are: Category B1: Champion — BCJ — Toshiba: Tony Montero (Team Captain), Jojo Astilla (Asst. Captain), EdwinYap, Imo Cruz, Jun Francisco, Nilo Loremia, George Garguena, Bong Flosa, Loy Escabusa, Danny Canoy and Carlos Masinsin. Finalist — KAIA — Unasco: Rhodel Rina, Ed Manabat, Hermie Caluag, Ronnie Reyes, Jun Junio, Ed Narvaez, Oscar Quinonez, Benny de Leon, Voie Reyes, Alex Pena and Teddy Austria. Semifinalists: SKAB-Warner Bros and JETS.
Category B2: Champion — NCB-Areeco/Kone: Nilo De Villa (team captain), Jojo Gutierez (asst. captain), Loiues Bautista, Ramsey Abul-Hosn, Henry Sarmiento, Rodan Roque, Jason Vasallo, Milo Ballueta, Serge Ventucillo, Rey Lacsina and Ted Espiritu. Finalist: Pogmatch — NTS Nildo Tan Jr.(Team Captain), Boy Isuga (asst. captain), Fred Masangkay, Mar Malonzo, Rene Bernales, Bong Nigos, Fred Bautista, Eric de Chavez, Nonie Payo, Joey Manalo and Roy Martinez.
Semifinalists: APO — Bridgestone and Saudia — Jafforms. Quarterfinalists: TPST — Teledesign, BCJ, EP-BNCF and ASTEC — Malaysia Airlines.
Category C: Champion — Express Point — Bahlas National Carpets Factory: Orly Mamaril (team captain), Jeck Calara (asst. captain), Dado Malig, Noy Balingbing, Boyet Zozobrado, Jericho Baquildan, Gerry Ragunjan, Ely Mallari, Ed Mapa, Toto Agan and Roel Diaz. Finalist: SKAB — Warner Brothers: George Apolonio (Team Captain), Gil Tingabgab (Asst. Captain), Jeffrey De Leon, Fred Flora, Robert Salud, Roberto Penpena, Edgar Negasca, Pia Matwarat, Sem Cabaluna, Larry Ortega and Warren Tantengco. Semifinalists: Siyanco — DPA, and SKAB-SWCC. Quarterfinalists: JETS, Saudia — Horizon, TBC- Al Jazzar, and BCJ — TetraPak. This tournament was orderly and organized by the current officers Rod Ramelb I, Gerry Nazaire, Serge Taga, Romy Payong, Gerry Alcantara, Ding Miranda, tournament director Nestor Sorosoro assisted by Art Pagaduan and Al De Lara.
Special awards: 2 pairs adjudged in Best Doubles (Class C) Gerry Ragunjan and Ely Mallari of Bahlas National Carpet Factory; Erwin Pangan and Ruben Alzate of JETS. Best Doubles (Class B2) Vooch Maniri and Cromwell Marzo of Bahlas National Carpets Factory — Exprees Point. Best Doubles (Class B1) Addie Banuelos and Rommel Villanueva of JETS. Best Muse Ms. Elvie Verceles and Ms. Jane Quilop of APO; Best Mascot Marie Dominique Bautista; Special awards Gherickson Nazaire, Ara Isulat and Yan-Yan Aldana.The newly elected set of 2002 AFTPA Officers are Ding Miranda (Chairman), Gerry Nazaire (Vice Chairman- Internal Affairs), Serge Taga (vice chairman — external affairs), Gino Ruperez (secretary), Gerry Alcantara (treasurer), Efren Bulatao (auditor), Corly Obtinalla (PRO), Freddie Felipe (PRO), Romy Bugarin (business manager) and Rod Ramelb I.
Meanwhile, Rod Ramelb I, the outgoing 2001 AFTPA chairman express his gratefulness recognition to all the guests, sponsors, clubs, players as well their family members, then, the outgoing AFTPA auditor Romy Payong divulge in his closing remarks that the Year Opening Team Tennis Tournament is scheduled either on the last week of January 2002 or 1st of February. The mechanics of this event is three doubles and two singles for Category C and B2, B1 is two doubles and 3 singles, while two doubles and 1 singles for category B.
This special announcement was also mentioned on the opening remarks by the vice chairman Gerry Nazaire that the venue of the AFTPA Year Opening Team Tennis will be held at the Al Bilad tennis courts as the hotel management has agreed upon this vital commitment as the years passed-by as the sole venue of this significant event. But to the astonishment of the AFTPA officers the venue was declined on the very last moment.
