DJ Auto Parts stamped its class in the MMX category with a 4-0 shutout of Hitec-Hidada while category C newcomer Dark Horse showed promise with an impressive 4-0 debut victory against Garden City during the first week of eliminations in the 4th ALBAIK Team Tennis Challenge 2012 at Al Bilad Hotel courts.

Over at the Sheraton Hotel court, category C team Hitec-Hidada scored a closely fought 3-1 victory over Toyota Express.

Starting off with Romeo Espino-Ben Consolacion team DJ Auto Parts had to endure tiebreak before winning 8-7 over the stubborn Hitec-Hidada pair of Jojo Aran and Tony Cleofas to take the first set.

There was more of the same in the second set as Froilan Malapad-Nur Panizales narrowly escaped with an 8-6 win against Ruben Macalindong-Tirso Manalo to give team DJ Auto a commanding 2-0 lead midway in the match.

In the make or break third set, DJ team captain Marlon Ordono and Ahmad Sholeh made sure victory was theirs, hammering Wajdi Bukhari-Jojo Lontac 8-2 for a 3-0 match victory.

Playing for the all important points, DJ’s Sandy Dalit-Ramil Abdua scored an 8-3 win over Ely Ramos-Jun Ordonez to complete a 4-0 sweep.

In category C, Dark Horse also scored a 4-0 victory over Garden City with wins by Bobring Yparraguire-Richard Calma over Edward Benavidez-Richard Villauala 8-2 in the first set, Mansoor Khalid-Kelly Cortes against Brendo Carpio-Raffy Fuentes 8-2 in the second set, Herbert Amores-Armand Mahusay versus Arnel Cruzate-Lito De Guzman at 8-6 in the third set and Rico Arenas-Adan Republica over Arleen De Venecia-Edwin Chu 8-3 in the fourth set.

Hitec-Hidada’s category C entry took a hard-earned 3-1 victory against a fighting Toyota Express. With Hitec racing to a 2-0 lead on an 8-6 win by Elmer Sagales-Boy Limbaga over Ronel Sicat-Ronald Cadiz in the first set followed by the 8-5 of Pons Hernandez-Joseph Deapera in the second set against Jovani Benting-Jerry Valle everything looked rosy for the Hitec team.

But an overwhelming 8-1 win by Toyota Express’ Russell Inabangan-Agot Cuevas over Iking Noval-Bert Dela Paz in the third canto placed the fourth set as the decider. The crucial fourth set was so closely fought it was decided via a tiebreak won by Hitec’s James Labra-Rene Nicodemus at 8-7 against Delfin Reyes-Roger Dapitan.

Other match results: Category C: Tropapips 2 (30) def. Zuhair Fayez 2 (23), Category B2: ABTC 3 (26) def. Toyota Express 1 (16), DJ Auto Parts 3 (29) def. Shelter 1 (25) and Category MMX: DPWorld 3 (28) def. Friday Bulls 1 (22).

Organized by the Association of Tennis Clubs, Jeddah (ASTEC), this team tennis tournament is in partnership with Albaik Food Systems Co. as the major sponsors through PR Manager Bassam Al Seyofi and Marketing Coordinator Mahmoud Al Jaber. Supporting the event is Deltaz Marketing (Racquet Shop) through Maher Tebakhi and Amin Malik and Al Raddadi Clinic through Ahmad Abdulrahman, Dr. Jethro Fajardo and Tony Bustamante.