JEDDAH: Saudia City Tennis Club’s Reem Instant Flavored Drink ladies teams dominated the opposition in winning their assignments to assure themselves of places in the semifinal rounds in the 7th ALBAIK Tennis Tournament 2015 at Trio Ranch Country Club courts on the outskirts of Jeddah.

Reem-SCTC SMXB1 topped their category with a 3-0 win-loss card after beating Bavaria-Taif 2-1 while SCTC-Reem LMX squad closed out the eliminations at 2-1 after winning against its Bavaria-Taif counterpart by 3-0 shutout.

In the Men’s B1 category, Zaitown won against ALBAIK to garner 2nd ranking going to the semifinals at 3-1. In category C, JRTC-Ewaton won a tightly fought match against Toyota 2-2 (28-23) to boost its chances of moving into the round of 16.

SCTC-Reem SMXB1 started out strong as Von Daligdig and Malou Sabio fashioned an 8-5 victory against Dhudz Villanueva and Kris Temblique of Bavaia-Taif to strike a point in the 1st set. In the 2nd set, however, SCTC’s Dang Bangit and Exan Dimaronsing were taken to tie-break by Joy Demesa and Nilo Borata and eventually lost the set 7-8 to put the match in a deadlock at 1-1. It was supposed to be a cliffhanger 3rd set but Bavaria’s Nita Molina and Egay Go was not able to come on the scheduled time and were declared default giving Ali Sakay and Nympha Sakay the win at 8-0 and the match to SCTC-Reem at 2-1.

In the LMX category, SCTC-Reem again had a good start, as Levi Apacionado and Ghie Asmiralde took the 1st set with a close 8-6 decision against Divine Calleja and Chrisanel Duano of Bavaria-Taif. In the 2nd set, SCTC-Reem’s Hannah Salmon and Weng Castro played all out to edge Mary Grace Tango and Marilou Navarro at 8-4 for the set and the match at 2-0. Adding to the misery of Bavaria-Taif was the no-show of Lita Molina, partnered with Den Sabio, to be declared default giving SCTC-Reem’s Hezyl Lozada and Maureen Mendoza the 8-0 score for a final match tally of 3-0.

Over at the Men’s B1 category, Zaitown took a come-from- behind 3-1 win against ALBAIK 3-1. Although Zaitown lost the 1st set with Majid Alkholi and Mohammad Maalof bowing to Nour Halil and Alimbsar Umpa at 4-8 they rallied in the 2nd set singles as Mohannad won against Baraa Usman on tie-break 8-7. This was followed by the 3rd set by Belal Al Heraibi and Said Al Ghamdi with an 8-5 win against Samy Macaapar and Benjie Usman to take the lead at 2-1. In the exciting 4th set decider, it was all heart for Zaitown’s Ibrahim Akeel and Faizan Hanif as they had to go through a tiebreaker to finally beat Maarouf Pantaran and Raj Pumbaya 8-7 and secure the set and the match with a 3-1 overall mark.

In the elimination round of category C Group 4, JRTC-Ewaton kept its hopes alive beating Toyota. After taking the 1st set with Axie Lomontod and Anuar Laguindab beating Dean Medrano and Jhun Labrada 8-5, Toyota took the 2nd set singles as Dann Bais won over Ali Manding 8-7. In the 3rd set, Toyota kept pace with another win this time courtesy of Renato Reyes and Lito Isaga’s 8-5 conquest of Ismael Mua and Jalal Umpa to put Toyota on top 2-1. In the 4th set finale JRTC-Ewaton’s Dangcal Macarambon and Jamelon Macaindig stamped their class on Ramil Renagis and Arnold Yabut with an 8-4 win to tie the sets at 2-2. But JRTC had a higher score of 28 as against Toyota’s 23 to be declared the winner.

Organized by Association of Tennis Clubs in Jeddah (ASTEC) under the helm of its current chairman Bernie Soguilon and Tournament Director Tonton Pana, this 28th ASTEC team tennis tournament is presented in partnership with ALBAIK Food Systems Co. Ltd. represented by Bassam Al-Seyofi (PR manager), Ed Cabiedes (branch manager) and Ms. Mazza Farajallah (Corporate Social Responsibility coordinator) and is supported by Deltaz Marketing (Racquet Shop), Sky Freight Forwarders and Pepsi Cola.