YANBU, 8 August 2003 — Three open doubles in B, C & D categories marked this year’s 5th year anniversary celebration of the Marikudo Slashers Tennis Circle held at the Royal Commission Tennis Courts in Yanbu. Seventy players from various companies took part in the colorful event that ended last week.
Archie Tim Cabahug and Bing Razo, seeded first in the Class B level, lived up to their seedings to win. Employing a synchronized serve and volley offense in every match, Archie and Bing beat the formidable duo of Nep Ho and Billy Bactol in the championship, 6-2, 7-5. Though, Nep and Billy clawed back from a 3-point deficit in the second set to level the score at 5 games apiece and looked headed for a decider. Billy’s lob shots and Nep’s relentless assault at the net helped them draw level, but the two lost steam thereafter. It was a day for seeded pairs as Gilbert Reyes and Willy Dizon, seeded No. 1, in the Class C level, prevailed over the tandem of Henry Arevalo and Henry Mojico, 3-6, 6-3, 7-1 to emerge champions.
In the Class D, Rolly Panganiban and Freddie Payagen defeated Norman Miguel and Romy Alvarina in two straight sets, 7-5, 6-3, to claim the championship. After a closely-fought and exciting first set, the less experienced Norman and Romy succumbed to pressure enabling their opponents to sail through.
To give the players the much-needed exposure, the format for the Class C and D levels was made in a round-robin series with the top four teams in each group advancing to the semifinals before the finalists were determined via crossover matching.
Toto Gonzales, chairman of the Marikudo Slashers and Vice Chairman Edwin Quillaneta presented the trophies to the winners.
