RIYADH, 3 May — E-Launchers team of Bert Barriga, Jr. opened day one matches of the week with high hopes of winning and made it stunning D’Millennium team at 44-38 during the fifth week of the ongoing Spring Tennis Challenge 2002 Team Tennis Tournament of the Association of Filipino Tennis Players (AFTP) in Riyadh at the Al Yamama Hotel Sports Complex, Riyadh every Thursday and Friday from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m.
The first doubles pair of Manny Tapnio and Alvin Guinto were smashed 5-8 by Ding Verdan and Omar Pesebre while Pons Oribello and Rene Tabing immediately scored back 8-4 over Rodel Valerio and partner in the second game, followed by Danny Madrillejo and Alfred Pastolero dominated at 8-6 Gerry de Guzman and Tim San Gabriel. George Talatala and Art Jovellano nevertheless, won overwhelmingly against Cris Butterworth and Ricky Cayetano at 8-6 in the fourth game. Jojo Caguan and Chito Abreau also beat Roy Oraa and Mario Abrasaldo 8-6. However, Bert Barriga, Jr. and partner succumbed to a tiebreaker 7-8 against Paul Caballero and Ricky Cayetano in the last game.
WRJ Freight Forwarders trounce D’Smashers at 41-35 — Mar Magbanua and Bogs Gonzales closely won over Mario Bueno and Boyet Paguio 8-6 in the opening set, while Ruben Garcia and Larry Constantino were overtaken in a tie-breaking battle between Jollie Boy de Guzman and Mario Bueno 7-8 in the second game. Drilled winners Saleh Raafet and Max Ingal caught Mitchel dela Cruz and Boy Agustin flatfooted at 8-4. Leo Malinao and Romy Villaflor stopped the heavy groundstrokes of Amer Javed and Nomer Villar at 8-5 in the fourth game. William Jao and Gil Gasga also hard hit 8-4 Larry Miranda and Excie Agbada. However, Steve Marcial and Jihad Abiera were whitewashed at 2-8 by Mitchel dela Cruz and Larry Miranda in the last doubles game.
Awal Net Surfers nose-dive Lob and Volley at 41-31 — Bong Oraa and Rally Pascual started strongly by beating Noli Orejas and Nelgar Barao at 8-5 in the first game followed by Leo Gervacio and partner by 8-2 drubbing over Boggs Mendoza and Gerry Trazo. In the third game, Joel Madriaga and Benjie Lee were dumped at 4-8 by hard hitters Eddie Galvez and Peter Manalo. Romy Onas and Dan Gutierrez overpowered at 8-6 Paul Pagulayan and Thad Flores. Gerry Trazo and Ricky Marquez surprised Jojo Minoza and partner at 5-8 in the fifth doubles. Ayman Sadawe and Conrad Lintag squeezed past at 8-2 Bernie de Castro and Eddie Galvez in the last game.
Live Wires-2 Drove D’Hornets Team, 46-28 — John Valencia and Gener Marasigan downed the twin brothers Arjay and Anjo Suarez at 8-6 in the opening game, while Khalid Al Bahali and Rene Andes were overtaken at 7-8 by Jaime Balala and Jun Evangelista in the second game. Clark Minoza and Ferdie Corporal pumped out 8-2 Jimmy Formilleza and Nilo Kong. Nilo Eugenio and Robert Drequito succumbed to a hard fought tiebreaker 7-8 over Saleh Al Zahrani and Zafar Sharani. It was in the fifth game when Lando Nazareno and Godo Sarmiento scrubbed to the ground 8-1 Ardee Diaz and Jimmy Isla. Ben Torrefiel and Mario Marimon also overpowered 8-3 Ronnel Argosino and Nilo Kong in the last doubles game.
Passing Shots gun down Thunderstick, 43-22 — Jimmy Perfas and Abe Buen clobbered at 8-2 Rudy de Guzman and Fred Cadavero in the opening game, followed by Fidel Lozano and Tisoy de Leon who breezed past at 8-2 Cris Legaspi and Louie Blanquera. Faizal Ziauddin and Lito Anolacion emerged victorious at 8-4 over Rene Sumido and Jojie San Pedro in the third game. Lito Hoyumpa and Fidel Cecogo started strongly but were beaten by Pete Petersen and Larry Barcelona at 3-8. Hibshi Ahamat and Fidel Lozano clipped 8-3 Fred Ringor and Dong Calub in the fifth game. Rene Suarez and Jet Paningbatan whipped 8-3 Joey Salem and Jun Tingzon in the last doubles game.
Day two matches commenced with D’Hornets team downsizing D’Smashers-2 at 42-31. Twin Brothers Arjay and Anjo Suarez scored an easy victory 8-3 against Mario Bueno and Mike Quirol. Jun Evangelista and Jaime Balala were not able to cope up with the stiff challenge of Boyet Paguio and Jollie Boy de Guzman at 6-8, while Jimmy Formilleza and Nilo Kong outsmarted at 8-5 Boy Agustin and Larry Miranda in the third game. Saleh Al Zahrani and Zafar Sharani overwhelmed Excie Agbada and Boyet Paguio at 8-3. Ardee Diaz and Jimmy Isla were knocked-out at 4-8 by Larry Miranda and Excie Agbada. It was in the last game when Ronnel Argosino and Nilo Kong kept their hopes alive when they got better of Winnie Garibay and Jollie Boy de Guzman at 8-4 in the last game.
Unified Team rolled back at 37-33 D’Specialists Team — Pabs Feliciano and Omar Madani braved and fought hard but eventually lost at 4-8 against twin brothers Arjay and Anjo Suarez, while Rogie Toledanes and Ace Espiritu posted a sweet victory 8-0 against the late appearance of Cesar de Vera and Bernard. Cesar de Vera and Ben Corbera snatched raffy Ocnilla and Roland Pena at 5-8 in the third game. Boggs Mendoza and Manny Berro were also beaten at 4-8 by Sulfikar Minhas and Arjay Suarez. Jaime Balala and partner struggled to hold on to their game and scored 8-2 against Pravo Devadas and Lito Lico in the fifth game. Felino Bautista and Jun Evangelista battled to a tiebreaker win 8-7 against Ed Jarin and Frankie Bajala in the last game.
D’Conquerrors came through a tough match against Subok Lang Team at 43-41 — Romy Guevarra and Ramon Garra were overtaken at 7-8 by Rod Parco and Jigs Garcia in the first match. Dong Elic and Ramil Kaniko beat 8-7 Ting Banday and Jhun de Vera in the second game. Dodong Tabotabo and Lito Errua pressured at 8-5 Jessie Hermano and Ariel Quijano. Mar Magbanua and Bogs Gonzales also collared at 8-6 Lito Ladio and Jojo Fabella in the fourth game. Larry Constantino and Lindi Nombrado bowed to the consistent hard hitting of Darwin Suson and Mark Musca at 4-8. Kenneth Tulio and Mario Torrefiel had overtaken at 8-7 Leo Gervacio and John Valencia in the last game.
Tie Breakers-2 blast D’Crisscrossers Team, 44-23 — Ramon Eugenio and Boy Rogel failed to overcome the challenge of Erman Santiago and Ramon Montales at 4-8. Manny Delimos and Ferras Shaltaf took full advantage to beat Gil Cruz and partner at 8-6. Rizaldo Ostol and Allan Ponzones showed their worth by scoring 8-1 against Fred Santos and Ahbet Bagay in the third game. Mohd Siraj and partner rocketed past at 8-4 Jimi Berenguel and Noel Ordonez. Noli Orejas and partner shifted to high gear and beat 8-3 Ely Caisido and Sonny Pimentel in the fifth game. Hisham Hizazi and Majed Shaltaf proved too strong 8-2 against Allan Malawanda and Ely Caisido.
Drop Shots Team lambaste Siemens Group 43-38 — Raul Optima and Ato Gomez produced and impressive display of power tennis against Jonathan del Pilar and Neil Solomon at 8-3 Allan dela Cruz and Sonny Cuyugan braved at 8-7 Dennis Toledo and partner in the second game. Rey Axalan and Noel Siasat scored 8-6 against Archie Fabro and Ber Fortalez. Danny Bravo and Nelson Martirez came out ice cold and never recovered when were defeated at 6-8 by Romy Suarez and William Tayone in the fourth game. Bert Manese and Robert Cacho were dwarfed at 5-8 by Noli Esguerra and Neal Perez, while Cesar Unabia and Arley Leyes registered a facile win over Juanito Sanz and Tony Yap in the concluding game.
Al Mohr Cargo thrash Hard Ball Team, 32-27 — Rudy Alberto and Banny Esmenos were blanked at 1-8 by Martin Malaluan and Romy Ramirez in the opening set. Edward dela Cruz and partner were blocked 1-8 by Marlon dela Cruz and Gilbert Masias. Manny Tapnio and Banny Esmenos clipped 8-1 Roel Genson and Art Bumatay in the third game. Ely Serva and Manny Tapnio outmaneuvered 8-1 Angel Bamba and Sonny Ocampo. Butch Bautista and Bogs Tagpuno were dominated at 6-8 by Danny Perez and Lorie Adalin. Allan Abrilla and Butch Bautista continued to steamroll the field by blasting Deo Pelaez and Mon Santos at 8-1 in the final game.
