ALKHOBAR, 15 March — The Al-Rushaid EEI team smashed the FETA Lapastangan team to capture championship trophy of the 1st Eastern Province Team Tennis Tournament being played at the Algosaibi Hotel and the Basic Chemical Industries tennis courts.
Captained by Romy Lazaro, the Al-Rushaid Tennis Club subdued the second team fielded by the Filipino Expatriates Tennis Association (FETA) in a rubber-match which sent the group, led by FETA president Willy Basilio, to settle in second place.
In the first match, the Flight 6 doubles pair of veteran Ping Alburo and Jerry Nacis who wielded a devastating forehand edged the FETA twin of Rey Reyes and Rusty Mangalindan in one of the most thrilling matches in the tournament with a down-to-the-wire score of 10-9.
In the second match for Flight 5 singles, the young hard-hitting lefty Dario Suarez of Al-Rushaid team outlasted the more experienced Rey Perucho, who belongs to the one of the famous tennis clans in the Philippines, with an amazing score of 10-5.
The spirit of FETA Lapastangan came back when the pair of Lito San Jose and Butch Claro defeated the highly favored Al-Rushaid’s pair of Bert de Vera and backhand top spinner Dado Soriao with a tremendous 10-5 score.
However, the steam in the FETA camp was doused down quickly when Cris Boocock unleashed his unreturnable serves coupled with strong forehand top spins and well placed backhands beating FETA’s Kenny Pacubas in Flight 4 singles, 10-6. Completing the Rushaid’s line-up were Shekhar Shetty, Bek Corpuz, and Vic Sandoval.
Trophies and gift certificates were awarded to the winners by the Sportivo Mundial Management Group and Prince Racquet Shop were awarded to the champion and runner-up teams. Special awards were also given to Al-Rushaid for Best in Uniform; Ramsey Fernando of KFMMC Warlords for Best Singles Player in Flight 4; Rey Perucho of FETA Lapastangan for Best Singles Player in Flight 5; Arnold Samatra and Mar Lucanas of ELTA Black Stallions for Best Doubles Pair in Flight 6. Two pairs were chosen for the Best Doubles Pair in the Sum of 9. They were Bert de Vera and Dado Sariao of Al-Rushaid EEI and the FETA Lapastangan pair of Lito San Jose and Butch de Claro.
Gracing the awarding ceremony were Al-Rushaid EEI executives namely Norman Macapagal, vice-president, and Lito Punzalan, project manager.
Also participated in this first ever team event are 10 other tennis groups bannered as Sportivo El Amigos captained by Ador Obias; Lummus Club headed by Rod Lazaro; FETA Aces with Mel Fajardo as team captain; KFMMC War Lords led by Oliver Arellano; KFU-MTC steered by Ramil Velasco; 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.
The steering committee to which handled such a unique sports promotional competitions in the Eastern Province is composed of Alex Navarro, Romy Novelles, Conrad Jaberina, Manny Ramos, Arnold Samatra, Lito San Jose, Mar Lucanas, Danny Cenil, Rommel Aguiluz, Ador Obias, Avel Mayo, Ariel Cruz, Efren Roman, Jun Cabaccang, Manny Anes, Johnny Tuazon, Romy Lazaro, Ador Penaverde, Oliver Arellano, and Dinan Arana.
Sponsors of this tennis tournament are Power Horse Energy Drink, Prince Racquet Shop, Chang Mai Restaurant, Aujan Softdrinks, SkyFreight Forwarders, and Basic Chemical Industries. Trophies, cash, and attractive gift prizes are at stake for the champions and runners-up.
FETA’s Kennedy Cup concluded
Filipino Expatriates Tennis Association’s (FETA) in-house doubles tournament was successfully concluded last Friday, March 8 at Al-Gosaibi Hotel Tennis courts.
The club, through the initiative of its tournament directors (Butch Claro & Rey Macarayo), divided the members into 4 teams.
The knockout games were held on Feb. 25 at Gulf Pear Compound. Team Busabos and Team Dyologs both won and faced each other in a thrilling final which was won by Team Busabos with a score of 3-1.
Playing for Team Busabos were: Omar Quelino (team leader), Jeck Olaguer, Mike Cortez, Mel Fajardo, Danny Paring, Edwin Villar, Singki Ante, Willie Bautista, Danny Bayobo, Resty De Asis and Noel Losarata.
Meanwhile, FETA’s hottest player of the season, Kennedy Pacubas has just won his doubles finals match at Al Radwah Open. Pacubas paired with FETA’s glamour boy, Mike Cortez.
The recently concluded in-house double tournament was named Kennedy Cup in recognition of Kennedy Pacubas’ achievements over the last 3 quarters.
