RIYADH, 16 April 2004 — One of the most remarkable team tennis showdown in town is the recently concluded 8th BTAAR Winter Cup Team Tennis Tournament (Bicolanos Tennis Association and Aficionados) which catapult to a dramatic finish after an astounding success. The event culminated with the awarding of trophies and raffle of prizes at Zahret Al-Sharq Hotel tennis court, along the Old Airport Road here.
Over 22 team named after cities of the Philippines’ Bicol region and comprised of 176 tennis players, slugged it out to show their mettle during the nine week inspiring tennis competition.
Paracale Team, spearhead by Ricky Tamayosa and Bong Bueta, garnered a cumulative total points of 195 to grab the champion crown in B Category, beating erstwhile leaders, Mercedes Team of Jojo de Castro and Mahmood Sindab who only muster 186 points.
Meanwhile, Pili Team of Sammy Dominguez and Romeo Noceja emerged as Category C champion after dispatching the Bulan Team of Abdulaziz Manzano and Rafael Uy.
The gung-ho performance of Jose Panganiban Team composed of Joey Salem, Jojie San Pedro, Jilani Chaudhry, Paul Malibiran, Ahbet Bagay, Ramon Montales, Roger Ablazo, and Sarge Gumapac collapsed in familiar fashion to share the 3rd runner-up honor.
Special awards were presented to the tandems of Ricky Tamayosa and Bong Bueta for the best B1 players (Paracale Team); B2 players, Olan Pena & Lorie Adalem (Mercedes Team); B3 players, Royel Barsobla (Labo Team); and B4 players, Mar Magbanua and Rey Panopio (Mercedes Team).
For C category, best players awards were given to C1 players Dante Posas and Nicky Bancola (Legaspi Team); C2 players, Raffy Sta. Ana and Rene Tabing (Buhi Team); C3 players, Reynaldo dela Vega and Cornelio Gamilo (Legaspi Team); RJ Tejada and Daniel Valdez (Bulan Team); and C4 players, Pit Moreno and Danny Tenoso (Daraga Team). Stephen Albert de Castro and Joe Ismael Valeneo shared the ‘Youngest and Best Newcomers Awards.’
The tournament were sponsored by United Cooperative Insurance, The Filipino Channel of ABS-CBN, Top Tennis Shop, Hastek Marketing & Pro Shop, Batelco Jeraisy, and Zahret Al Sharq Hotel.
The events organizing committee was led by BTAAR chairman Stephen Marpuri with assistance of board of directors.
Proceeds of the tournament is intended for the “Bantay Bata 163 Foundation”.
