JEDDAH, 5 September 2003 — NCB bounced back from an opening day loss and upset Dahlawi in a thrilling three setter. NCB came up with big save when needed in a dramatic victory in the deciding set to seal the match 2-1, over the heavily favored Dahlawi.
Mohamed Farsi and Bassam Asghar squandered an early 6-4 lead, when Buddy Linaming and Micko Caluag rallied in the next three games to moved ahead 7-6. The Dahlawi pair under intense pressure held serves to force a tie break.
With a brief respite, Farsi and Bashar tumbled to a 4-7 lose. In the ensuing game, Shukri Bushar and Saeed Hafiz lived up to status as favorites and outclassed Serge Ventocillo and Rodan Roque 8-5, to level the match.
In the deciding set, Alam Chaudry and Jojo Gutierez stormed to an early 6-1 lead, but Masood Hafiz and Bilal Ahmad slowly inched closer to force another tiebreak. NCB however sealed the match and posted a 7-3 tiebreak win.
WRJ-Cordero playing its first game dealt AFTPA its second loss with a convincing 2-1 win. Clemente Cablao and Oca Quinones bolted to a commanding 6-1 lead and easily defeated Paul Lauchengco and Vien Villeta 8-2. Gerry Alcantara and Dominic Dadal bucked a 6-3 deficit against Rodel Rina and Mar Jabaro by taking the last four games to move ahead 7-6, and needed to break Rodel’s serve to level the score. However, Rodel was not in the mood to give up and kept his composure to forge a tiebreak.
The WRJ pair overwhelmed their opponents in the tiebreak, 7-1 and sealed the match 2-0. Ed Narvaez and Danny Canoy completed the match and managed to eke out an 8-6 win against Loi Escabusa and Bong Flosa.
Jeto took the lead in category B1 with a hard earned victory over Express Point-Hempel, 3-0. Reggie Sanosa and Ricky Torres eased past Ellie Mallari and Cromwell Marzo 8-4. Al Ijran and Jun Amancio edged past Alex Duma and Romy Paraiso 8-5. Francis Idjao and Addi Banuelos breezed past Vooch Maniri and Toto Gelo-agan 8-6.
In category B2, United Naghi- Express Point clinched its first win, 2-1 against SG-Al Manour No. 1. Ariel Lodor and Armand Monasterial escaped with an 8-6 win against Sixto Baui and Ariel Laparan.
Rey Patriarca and Jake Calara ensured the match with an 8-5 victory against Loret Sanchez and Ferdie Rema. Ronald Dela Cruz and Leo Borje prevailed over Orly Mamaril and Pia Matwarat, 8-1. KAIA blanked Hidada 3-0. Ben Amoroto and Willy Dimaano outlasted Jojo Aran and Jhun Marasigan 8-5. Jimmy Sabarillo and Nilo Salvedia rallied from 3-5 and rolled ahead to win 8-5. Obet Vizcarra and Rodel Santillan carried the victory by surprising Andrew Villan and Rey Diega 8-4.
NCB Team No. 3 captained by Louie Bautista joined KAIA with two victories each. NCB won over Zuhair Fayez 2-1 and United Naghi Express Point with the same score. Pitted against Zuhair Fayez, Rod Madla and Louie Bautista easily dismissed Joey Aziz and Robert Ponu 8-1.
