JEDDAH, 25 October — Mahmood Saeed beat sister team Saudi Perfumes by 21 runs as Irfan, Kashif and Nisar scored tons in the opening week matches of the 14th Kanoo League, which kicked off last week, Elsewhere Traco Green and Sadafco scored convincing wins over their respective opponents Young Athlete and Toshiba by 5 wickets.

The 14th Kanoo League (Premier Division) comprises of 12 teams divided into 2 equal groups. The respective Group teams will play each other on round robin format basis with 4 top teams from each group qualifying for the knock out stage to decide the Winner and Runner-up teams. Group 1 consists of Mahmood Saeed, Saudi Perfumes, SGB Baroom, IDB, Traco Green and Young Athlete whereas Group 2 consists of Kanoo, Saudia Milk, Traco, Sadafco, Toshiba and UMA.

Saudi Perfume gave a scare to sister team Mahmood Saeed before the latter won by 21 runs. Batting first Mahmood Saeed scored 287 for the loss of 4 in 35 overs. Leading the way was Muhammad Irfan who scored a superb unbeaten 153 runs, an innings marked with patience, elegance and superb timing.

He hit 15 fours and a towering six in an innings that was completed dominated by him. Although Mahmood Saeed lost 2 wickets for 25, Saleem Kapadia (20), Aqueel (41) and Farooq (49 Not Out) gave tremendous support to Irfan, particularly Farooq who helped him add 120 runs for the unfinished 5th wicket.

In reply Saudi Perfumes also lost 3 wickets for 53 runs but like Irfan it was Kashif who held the fort for the perfumers. His brilliant century brought them close to a surprise win only to faulter towards the end. His century was laced with aggressive batting as he took all the bowlers by the neck. In all he hit 13 fours and a six.

He was given good support by most of the batsmen who reached double figures but failed to capitalize on it. Saudi Perfumes were finally all out for 266 in 31.5 overs to give Mahmood Saeed a win by 21 runs. Mahfooz (4 for 49) and Shahid (3 for 41) did most of the damage.

In the match against Traco Green, Young Athlete lost 2 wickets for 16 but Usman (55) and Hussain (50) put up a good fight and scored freely against an accurate attack Usman preferred to pick up his runs in ones and twos with the occasional boundary whereas Hussain the more aggressive punished the loose balls to hit 5 fours and a six, both scored half-centuries. Saleem used the long handle to score 39 and Gazanfar chipped in with 22 to enable Young Athlete end at 237 for 8 in their 35 overs. Niaz picked up 3 for 26 and Kaleem 2 for 27.

In reply Traco Green opener Nisar made his intentions clear from the beginning with some lusty hitting all over the field. He was more content to score in fours than in singles and in all hit 13 fours and a six to score his first century of the league, before being out for 106. He was given good support by Shehzad who scored a brisk 54 and the two put on 128 for the 3rd wicket.

Trace Green last year’s runners-up of Kanoo League and winners of Al Rabies Pulz League, romped home comfortably at 241 for 5 in 31 overs, an exciting win by 5 wickets. Toshiba made an impressive start as they scored 252 all out. Openers Asif and Shafique gave a good start with a 152 runs partnership. Asif took most of the strike as he played some elegant strokes taking full advantage of the 10 overs field restrictions.

He pierced the field with impunity and hit 11 fours in his 92. At the other end giving him good support was Shafique who was patient and gave him most of the strike. Shafique scored 53 before both were dismissed within 10 runs of each other. After their departure wickets fell at regular intervals and with the exception of Umer (35) and Zaheer (23), others caved in to the bowling of Ibrahim (3 for 43), Zafar (2 for 63) and Haroon (2 for 35).

In reply Sadafco openers Zafar (53) and Arif (33) rattled off 84 runs for the 1st wicket in 9 overs as they went for the bowling. Zafar hit 9 fours in his 53 of 36 balls whereas Arif scored 33 with 2 fours. Parvez Khan continued the good work of the openers and along with Kaleem (36) ensured that Sadafco reach their target comfortably. Parvez scored a quick-fire 68 of 52 balls with 8 fours and remained unbeaten as Sadafco reached their target of 254 for the loss of 5 wickets in 29.5 overs.

Seiko Tennis Classic is off to a fine start in Jeddah

Boy Cornejo

JEDDAH, 25 October — A colorful parade of forty participating teams representing various tennis clubs vying in four different categories formally kicked off the grand opening of the 7th Seiko Tennis Classic before a jam-packed crowd at the Al Bilad Hotel tennis courts over the weekend.

The playing of the Philippine national anthem and the welcome speech by former chairman Boy Cornejo then followed. Administrative Officer Taha Guinomla delivered a very inspirational speech on behalf of Consul General Kadatuan P. Usop, lauded the efforts of AFTPA organizing committee for their noteworthy contribution to the community by promoting a healthy and friendly sports competition with the objective of fostering unity and camaraderie among Filipinos and other nationalities. Also present during the occasion was the tireless and supremely helpful Gil Manese of KASAPI Congress.

The 45-day tournament sponsored by Al Hussaini & Co., the exclusive distributor of Seiko watches in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is organized and managed by the All Filipino Tennis Players Association (AFTPA), under the leadership of its chairman Ding Miranda with the full backing of the Philippine Consulate General.

Leading the pack of participating teams are TPST, Saudi Divers and Jaforms depending champions in Category C, B2 B1 and B1B respectively. Also participating are Al Rabie-Pulz, Siyanco, Express Point, KAIA-Unasco, Unipak-Box Makers, Tetra Pak, SG, SRL, Zuhair Fayez & partnership, Saudia City, G-Force, Bulacan Aces, Toyota-APO, among others.

Adjudged the winners in best in team uniforms in categories B1, B2 and C were Express Point-Hempel Paints, Al Majal Services and Express Point-United Naghi Electronics in their order. Ryle Libredo and Nicelle Tan of Al Majal Service Masters with the Dracula and Dalmatian inspired outfit were unanimously declared the winner for the best mascot of the tournament. Gerry Alcantara administer the Oath of Sportsmanship while Taha Guinomla assisted by former chairman Boy Cornejo and other AFTPA officers did the ceremonial toss to formally open the tournament.

Opening day encounters posted contrasting results in different categories: In category C, Unipak-Box Makers blanked Al Bilad Hotel 5-0; SRL team blasted Portfolio Travel Ltd. 5-0. Express Point-United Naghi Electronics drubbed Siyanco DPA-2 4-1; LA Team disposed of G-Force-1 4-1 and TPST whipped Zuhair Fayez & Partnership 4-1.

Meanwhile in Category B2, ALJ-Toyota-APO was stretched to the limit before subduing Bulacan Aces in a tense 3-2 decision. In the first doubles, Jimmy Miranda and Jojo Aran of Bulacan Aces grabbed the set against Neil Martin and Rey Tablang 8-2. In the first singles, APO’s Ricky Zabate duplicated the feat of their rival of the earlier set as he managed to pack enough wind and came up with an 8-2 output against Medz Mabang leveling the score at 1-set all.

The heroics of Leo Lagramada and Acmad Sani put APO in the lead as they dismantled Jake Viduya and Rasheed Ramasasa in a nail biting 8-7 (7-5) finish. APO could have sealed the match earlier if not for Muhammad Farzi who failed to show up for the second singles game, giving the set to Rey Diega 0-8 to even the match at 2-sets all. In the final and deciding set, each doubles pair manage to hold and break serve down the middle but the Aces grab the lead when they broke serve to lead 5-4. APO’s Danny dela Rhea and Ruben Alzate pulled the break back in Ed Santiago’s serve to equalize at 5-all.

That was the last hurrah for Jun Tolentino and Ed Santiago tandem as Dela Rhea held serve and again broke Tolentino’s game before Alzate held his own for an 8-5 score and a 3-2 final tally.