ALKHOBAR, 15 February — The Eastern Lawn Tennis Association (ELTA) has something to prove in the ongoing 1st Eastern Province Team Tennis Invitational Tournament being played at the Algosaibi Hotel tennis courts — that they can get a niche in the championship seat.
The ELTA Black Stallions outsmarted the Al-Rushaid Compound Tennis Club, 3-2, after the sealing game played by Arnold Samatra and Mar Lucanas when they got past the never-say-die tandem of Bek Corpuz and Dario Suarez, 10-8.
ELTA’s victory ensured its contention in this 12-team scramble which is uniquely organized by the Sportivo Mundial Management Group (SMMG), a sports promotions network with tie-ups in the Philippines, Europe, USA, and Canada. This new group which is composed of members of different tennis organizations is headed by Alex Navarro, the chief executive officer of SMMG’s steering committee.
Posting its first win for ELTA is the duo of Flor Catanus and Martin dela Calzada trouncing the pair of Bert de Vera and Jerry Nacis, 10-9. Down at 15-40 and Dela Calzada on the serve, the ELTA boys reversed the outcome when Catanus hit a forehand shot down the line coupled by smashes unleashed by Martin. Rene Portillo likewise dumped Shekar Shetty, 10-6, in singles avenging the loss of his teammate Demy dela Cruz who bowed down to Romy Lazaro, 4-10. The Al-Rushaid pair of Dado Soriao and Pin Alburo demilshed ELTA’s Bing Reambonanza and Efren Roman, 10-1.
Also during the opening games, the KFU Hurricanes defeated the BCI Red Barons, 3-2. In the Flight 5 singles Rey Garrido of BCI beat Felix Maico, 10-3. Ramil Velaso and Jun Habig of KFU outplayed Hira and Schubert Gantuangco, 10-7. Nestor Samson and Danny Paring gave another point to KFU when they humbled Tony Almeida and Joe Matusalem, 10-9. Red Barons Alex Navarro and Moises Baterina demolished Hermie dela Cerna and Sunny Orcales, 10-3. KFU bounced back when Rudy Villanueva outclashed Romy Novelles, 10-6.
The event, which is first ever to be staged in the Eastern Region, is a team tennis competition with a double knock-out format of best-of-five matches composing three doubles and two singles with a maximum of 10 players each team for Flights 2 up to 6 categories.
Participating in the event are 12 teams bannered as Sportivo El Amigos captained by Ador Obias; Lummus Club headed by Rod Lazaro; FETA Aces with Mel Fajardo as team captain; KFMMC Warlords led by Oliver Arellano; KFU-MTC steered by Ramil Velasco; the FETA Lapastangan with Willy Basilio as its skipper; ELTA Black Stallion captained by Bing Reambonanza; BTA Red Equalizers with Dindo Latonio as its head; Mita Tennis Group led by Ghassan Sawaya; BCI Red Barons with Romy Novelles as commander; BTA Blue Predators with Rene Icasiano calling the shots; and Al-Rushaid Team with Romy Lazaro as captain.
