DAMMAM, 3 October 2003 — Sadafco proved to be the mighty team in the end game by outclassing Juffali earlier touted to win the championship.

Sixty-four players in categories A, B, and C marked the first Juffali-Sadafco Team Tennis Tournament held at Sadafco compound here.

Juffali team led in the early stages of the finals till Sadafco made their charge to grab the championship.

Sadafco’s top players, Poe Soriano and Flor Catanus displayed their do-or-die spirit to rally from a 4-point deficit during the early part of the match and won surprisingly against the highly favored tandem of Vaughn Vincent Go and Edwin Villar of Juffali.

The serve-and-volley game spiced with the variable slice of Vaughn Vincent coupled with Edwin’s deadly net play catapulted the duo to a 6-2 lead.

However, the energetic Vaughn Vincent and Edwin slowed down, a sign of overconfidence and they lost steam thereafter.

Poe and Flor immediately seized the opportunity by hitting deep lobs and consistent drop shots.

With the score tied at 6-6, the duo worked hard to break the slide and stormed to 8-6 lead and the set 10-8.

In category B, Danny Paring and Danny Rabago of Sadafco clawed their way past Juffali’s top-spinner Rommel Aguiluz and Randy Regalia 10-4, while Jufalli’s double-backhand hitter Noel Lasaruta and consistent underspinner Junji Lomibao had a tough time before subduing Sadafco’s James Sidro and Joel Auro 10-9.

Danny Senil and Juancho Choi easily defeated Joel Quimpo and Jerry Galvez of Sadafco 10-4.

Nestor Failano and Ronnie Solicar of Juffali succumbed to the steady returns of Sadafco’s Efren Roman and Robert Elsisura 10-7.

The formidable duo of Pete Ramos and Nestor Oribello routed Elmer Bonifacio and Aldrin Dino 10-9.

In category C, the tandem of Ian Genson and Joseph Liwanagan dispatched Aramis and Mike of Sadafco 10-6.

The format of the 2 weeks tournament was straight 10 games with deuce.

The champion was determined by the number of wins and in case of draw, point system prevails.

In case of “no show” the player that follows shall play the match.

This tournament was made possible through the active participation of Juffali’s Pete Ramos, Noel Lasaruta, and Nestor Failano in cooperation with Sadafco’s Janice Sidro, Joel Auro, and Joel Quimpo.

The second duel between Juffali and Sadafco will be held during the Eid holidays.