DHAHRAN, 7 May 2004 — The first ever Saudi Arabia Filipino Tennis Enthusiast (SAFTE) — Al-Munirah Tennis Association (MTA) Friendly Team Tennis Tournament organized by John Fontillas of Saudi Aramco and SAFTE officers, concluded with SAFTE clinching a thrilling victory.
The one day event was held at the Saudi Aramco Tennis Sports Complex, and 80 players grouped in Category A,B, & C took part.
MTA's John Fontillas and Jeffrey Varquez took the opening match by crushing Ken Dajang and Ronnie Solicar 10-3. Doming Somosa and Robert Elsisura outmaneuvered Gwen Espina and Eugene Tagoy 10-4. Sandy Cruz and Eloy Torres lost to Bert Reodica and Ike Khan 10-4.
Pete Ramos and William Buot defeated John Fontillas and D. Asi 10-6. Nestor Failano and Russel Bobis outclassed B. Carino and Bong Manuel 10-4.
Meanwhile, the tandem of Bann Ingreso and Ian Genson lost to Manny Resmenia and Willy Sebastian 10-7.
Gaby Sandalo and Jimmy Estrada eased past Rudy Manguera and Rod Quilino 10-2 and Ben Kabigting and Nerfido Gelloano ousted Dhors Castillon and Lando Aragoza 10-4.
Sanny Orcalles and Danny Paring upset Nick Falcone and William Credo via a tie-break 10-9. Archie Tim Cabahug and Jimmy Estrada dislodged Vincent Go and Nerfido Gelloano 10-6.
Hermie Serna and Kennedy Pacubas underestimated their opponents and were eliminated by Sonny Joaquin and Mon Guevarra 10-9.
MTA needed to win the 14th tie to overtake SAFTE, but TJ Paulino and Doming Bayona made a heap of unforced errors and succumbed to Jorge Nacional and James Sidro 10-4.
Frank Dubluis and Flor Catanus made the most of their opponent's flaws to beat Chito Gonzales and Gerry Areno 10-7.
Ms. Maricel Patawaran of Saudi Aramco distributed the individual trophies to the winners. The event was sponsored by Bann Ingreso of Arabian Food Supplies, Keene Dajang, and Flor Catanus of The-Filipino-Channel ABS-CBN.
Tournament committee comprised John Fontillas, Archie Tim Cabahug, Jeffrey Varquez, Ian Genson, and Vincent Go.
