The Saudia City Tennis Club (SCTC) Mid-Year Tennis Tournament successfully concluded recently following the exciting championship matches for both the doubles event regular category division and singles event in the advanced (A2) division at the tennis courts of Saudia City here.

Helping make the event a big success are the sponsors namely Pepsi Company-Aquafina, Saudia Catering and Sky Freight Forwarders.

With Aris Feliciano sailing smoothly for the first finals slot of the singles advance (A2) division in a love-set demolition of Elias Mangca in the semi-final round, bitter-rivalry emerged between Ariel Baguinon & Delson Autentico, as newcomer Baguinon underlined his superiority by duplicating tiebreak triumph from the elimination round and in the penultimate semis encounter that set the stage for the title match against undefeated Feliciano. In the most-awaited match-up, power versus court wits defined the A2 category, as top seed Feliciano defeated Baquidnon in straight sets 7-6 (7-2), 6-1 for the coveted singles crown.

In the regular category doubles event, veteran-rookie tandem of Dan Mangulabnan and Ed Quiambao secured the C category title by quelling the stiff challenge of Arman De Vera and Limuel Trangia at 10-7. De Vera & Tranqia battled back from 2-6 down but the champions stepped-up from 7-7 all and never looked back.

Rowell Cuasay and Jun Ampatuan secured the B2 category crown against the tough pair of Dang Bangit-Menard Logan, who succumbed to pressure in the 17th stage with a broken service game, as Cuasay calmly held his own service for the clincher and nail-biting finish at 10-8. In B1 category, Kim Sung and Von Daligdig overcame early jitters to conquer seasoned players Froilan Malapad and Ronnie Santos. On fire early in the match, Malapad and Santos surged to 3-0 lead, but the winning pair bounced back with aggressive net plays to win the match and the title at 10-5.

In the semifinal rounds, Mangulabnan-Quiambao swept aside Arnel Romerosa-Che Montero 8-2 to set the showdown with Trangia and De Vera, who knocked out crowd favorites Michelle Yangson and Orven Jimenez 8-4 to secure the other final slot of the C category, as Bangit -Logan outlasted Song Pineda-Rad Mallari 8-5 to set the stage for the B2 final match against the waiting tandem of Cuasay and Ampatuan. Sung and Daligdig, squeezed though the finals with an 8-5 win over Nemie Melencio-Jonjon Vidal while Malapad and Santos overpowered Ricky Pasturan and Emily Dy 8-3 to secure the other finals slot in B1.

Seeking to avenge his elimination round loss, Baguinon displayed crisp serve and volley tactics against the hard-serving Feliciano in the first set, as the latter kept his composure at the baseline, countering with a double-fisted back hand passing shots to hang at the coattails of his younger opponent in an even match that kept the crowd guessing for the outcome.

With the score at 5-6 in the first of best-of-three sets match, Baguinon squandered double set points (breakpoints) as Feliciano fired a pair of aces to place the set at deuce, then shot another pair of unreturnable serves that saved the set for the tiebreak at 6-6 all.

Capitalizing on booming service game in the tiebreaker, Feliciano drew first blood at 7-2. Oozing with confidence, Feliciano maintained the same focus & tenacity in the second set, delivering precision passing shot winners that consistently stifled the deadly service game of Baguinon, who lost steam, while adding pressure with lightning serves for the match clincher at 6-1.

During the awarding ceremonies SCTC Chairman Rowell Cuasay distributed handsome plaques and cash prizes to the winners, and acknowledged Pepsi Co. – Aquafina, Sky Freight Forwarders (Emy De Guzman) and Saudi Airlines Catering (Jess Batingal and Dr. Mohamad Mounir), who were also awarded with special plaques of appreciation for their generous support to the tournament. Also cited for their valuable contribution and special commitments were SCTC Kim Sung and Ahmad Lagman.