JEDDAH: Microbridger endured three tiebreak sets before winning by 3-1 against a fighting Toyota Express in the B2 category while Zuhair Fayez notched its first win by default over winless Toyota Express 3-1 in category C.

In the LMX category, SPTC barged into the win column as it won via points over a fighting Saudia Catering team 3-1. Over at the Ladies Division, Reem Riviera dominated in the MMX category as it pounded ABTC in the second and third sets to win their match, as the elimination round heated up in the 4th ALBAIK Team Tennis Tournament with nightly games at the Al Bilad Hotel tennis courts.

In a tightly contested match in category B2, Microbridger was brought to the limit by Toyota Express before finally tasting victory. Toyota’s Rafik Shaikh and Michael Landrito drew first blood when they won against Nash Mangotara-Ali Largado 8-5. Unfazed, Microbridger took control of the next three sets and won all of them on 8-7 tiebreak.

Aiman Al Jadani-Arnold Isidro beat Litho De Mesa-Armand Bucad in the second set, then Mohd Nur Halil-Farouk Salacop won against Louie Catangcatang-Joel Sacal in the third set and to close the match for Microbridger in the fourth set were Faiz Amil-Abdul Rahman who won against Marwan Kamal Albitar-Raffy Agustin.

Starting out with an 8-4 first set win by Eric Cuyco-Miller Navas over Mohd. Asim Quadri-Russell Inabangan, Zuhair Fayez looked determined to win. In the second set, Mansour Al-Qadi-Chuck Lizen were given an 8-0 score after the Toyota Express was penalized for a no-show player giving Zuhair Fayez a commanding 2-0 lead and a 12-point advantage.

Toyota’s Ronald Cadiz-Ronnel Sicat countered with an 8-6 win over Ryan Tiu-Mark Masingkil in the third set for a 1-2 score but everything looked dim for them as the total points were already piling up and no longer reachable for a win. And the fourth set was controlled by Zuhair’s Ben Micu-Fritz Perico with an 8-5 win to post a 3-1 victory.

Samahang Pinoy Tennis Club (SPTC) got its first win after two starts as they were able to win against Saudia Catering in the LMX category. Winning the first two sets with Choy Argarin-Mario Betorio’s 8-5 set against Mohd. Munir-Alex Modi followed by the 8-2 set of Lino Bautista-Ben Micu over Farouk Salacop-Arnold Isidro SPTC had a very good cushion to lean on. Arch Barameda-Nick Catimbang, however, breathed life to Saudia Catering’s chances as they took the third set 8-3 against Ali Callanta-Lito Bentulan. In the fourth set SPTC’s Oca Lovitos-Roy Timtiman were taken to tiebreak by Mohd. Nur Halil-Faeng Pena before finally closing the set and sealing victory for SPTC.

In SCTC tennis courts, Reem Riviera defeated ABTC in the MMX category of the Ladies Division. First set was taken by ABTC as Jean Gandia-Krizzel Dominguez won 8-5 against Dena Aquino-Malou Argarin.

Reem Riviera then took the second set with Dang Bangit-Nymfa Sakay winning via an 8-2 margin over Tatah Martinez-Shiela Harris. A closely fought third set was won at 8-6 by Carmina Miles-Joy De Mesa over Lea Perez-Dodie Villanueva for a final score of 2-1 to give the victory to Reem Riviera.

Organized by the Association of Tennis Clubs, Jeddah (ASTEC), this team tennis tournament is in partnership with Albaik Food Systems Co. as the major sponsor under the aegis of its PR Manager Bassam Al Seyofi with 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.