Riyadh, 17 May — Passing Shots and D’Crisscrossers teams downed and depressed their rivals during the seventh week of the Spring Tennis Challenge 2002 Team Tennis Tournament of the Association of Filipino Tennis Players (AFTP) in Riyadh at the Al Yamama Hotel Sports Complex, Riyadh being played every Thursday and Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Passing Shots dashed the hopes of Lob & Volley at 44-39. The first pair of Abe Buen and Jimmy Perfas drowned the pair of Nelgar Barao and Noli Orejas at 8-4, while Gerry Trazo and Boggs Mendoza overtook Fidel Lozano and Tisoy de Leon in the 2nd set. Lito Anolacion and Faizal Ziauddin won tie-breaker 8-7 against Peter Manalo and Eddie Galvez. Thad Flores and Paul Pagulayan outfought Fidel Cecogo and Faizal Ziauddin at 6-8 in the 4th game. Hibshi Ahamat and Richard Lucardi scored 8-6 against Ricky Marquez and Bogs Mendoza while Rene Suarez and Jet Paningbatan braved at 8-5 Bernie de Castro and Romeo Masingkil in the last game.
D’Crisscrossers team managed to pull down Al Mohr Cargo, 37-35. Hernan Santiago and Ramon Montales were not lucky to get past at 3-8 Rudy Alberto and Banny Esmenos. Gil Cruz and Hernan Santiago fought back to overpower Elmer Aquino and Edward dela Cruz, 8-2 in the 2nd game. Jimmy Beringuel and Ahbet Bagay were sent back stage at 6-8 by Manny Tapnio and Banny Esmenos. Noel Ordonez and Fred Santos ignited the court with their classic tennis games against Louie Ignacio and Rudy Alberto, 8-6. Bogs Tagpuno and Manny Tapnio challenged Sonny Pimentel and Ahbet Bagay at 4-8. However, Jollie Boy de Guzman and Allan Malawanda played flawless tennis when they easily dumped Allan Abrilla and Jimmy Udaundo at 8-3 in the last game.
D’Smashers-2 Team of Xcie Agbada and Larry Miranda beat off form D’Millennium team of Paul Caballero and Ricky Cayetano at 48-13.
D’Hornets team won a one point shy against the spirited “Awalnet Surfers team” at 38-37. Struggling to stand with its team name, brothers Arjay and Anjo Suarez beat 8-7 Bong Oraa and Rodel Garcia in the 1st game. Jun Evangelista and Jaime Balala battered Leo Gervacio and Rally Pascual at 8-4. Jimmy Formilleza and Nilo Kong displayed their heavy groundstrokes to beat Jojo Minoza and Joel Madriaga 8-3 in the 3rd game. Ardee Diaz and Jimmy Isla were unable get the better of Jojo Minoza and partner at 8-3, while Saleh Zahrani and Safar Al-Sharani snatched a nerve breaking game 8-7 against Romy Onas and Conrad Lintag. Ronnel Argosino and Rodel Salvatierra also succumbed Conrad Lintag and Dr. Ayman Sadawi at 3-8 in the last game.
E-Launchers fought patiently to overcome the strong challenge of WRJ Freight Forwarders at 38-36. Manny Tapuio and Alvin Guinto won against Bogs Gonzales and Mar Magbanua at 8-5 in the 1st matched followed by Rene Tabing and Pons Oribello when they crushed Ruben Garcia and Larry Constantino at 8-6. Danny Madrillejo and Saleh Raafet and Max Ingal tripped Alfred Pastollero at 5-8. It was in the 4th game when Bert Barriga and George Talatala almost blanked at 8-1 Romy Miraflor and Steve Marcial. Gil Gasga and Bogs Gonzales dumped Chito Abreau and Pons Oribello. Marc dela Cruz and Bert Barriga, were dominated by Steve Marcial and Saleh Raafet 3-8 in the 6th game.
The Unified team started hot to reign Subok Lang team at 46-29. The first pair of Omar Madani and Fabs Feliciano celebrated an early victory against Jigs Garcia and Rod Parco while Jhun de Vera and Ting Banday won over exciting 8-7 tie-breaker against Rogie Toledanes and August Espiritu in the 2nd game. Raffy Ocnila and Roland Pena gained an early momentum to outplay Ariel Quijano and Jessie Hermano at 8-2. Danny Collantes and Jaime Balala blazed the court with their deep drives at 8-5 against Darwin Suson and Mark Musca. Bogs Mendoza and Manny Berro gunned down Lito Ladio and Ariel Quijano at 8-5. The spirited John Valencia and Leo Gervacio overtook Jun Evangelista and Felino Bautista at 7-8 in the last game.
D’Conquerrors Team captained by Romy Guevarra and Kenneth Tulio showed no traces of nerves whey they beat the rookies of Siemens Group of Juanito Sanz and Neal Perez at 48-32.
Tiebreakers-2 blow away at 42-32 the Hard Ball team — Boy Rogel and Ramon Eugenio surrendered at 7-8 against Martin Malaluan and Gilbert Masias in the opening set. Feras Shaltaf and Manny Delimos drowned at 8-3 Marlon dela Cruz and Gilbert Masias in the 2nd game while Rizaldo Ostol and Allan Ponzones routed at 8-2 Art Bumatay and Roel Genson. Sonny Ocampo and Marlon dela Cruz in the 4th game scared Zaldo and Feras at 3-8. Noli Orejas and Allan Ponzones started their match with hard shots and beat Danny Perez and Lorie Adalin 8-6 margin. Anchor pair of Hisham Hizazi and Majed Shaltaf pumped out at 8-5 Deo Pelaez and Mon Santos in the last game.
D’Specialists scotched the threat from the Drop Shots at 35-33. Arjay and Anjo Suarez powered their way to an 8-1 score against Raul Optiman and Allan dela Cruz in the 1st game. Cesar de Vera and Anjo Suarez handed an 8-4 lesson to Allan dela Cruz and Sonny Cuyugan. Daniel Valdez and Cesar de Vera out punched the partners of Sonnie Marilla and Ray Axalan at 8-4, while Nelson Martinez and Danny Bravo easily won at 8-0 against no show of their opponent.
Robert Manese and Sonnie Marilla also toppled Lito Lico and Bravo Devades at 6-8. Frankie Bajala and Ed Jarin were walloped at 5-8 by hard hitters Cesar Unabia and Arley Leyes in the last game.
This tennis event is organized by the Association of Filipino Tennis Players in Riyadh fully coordinated by Ceasar Arcenas, Bert Barriga, Jr., Bernie De Castro and Jimmy Isla, ably supported by The Filipino Channel (TFC) and Sky Freight Forwarders.
