'Nadal', 'Agassi' spark MILTSCI's sizzling run in 'Lapu Fiesta tennis

CEBU - The Mactan Island Lawn Tennis Sports Club, Inc. (MILTSCI) netters sustained their sizzling run in the third playdate of the 2008 Lapu-Lapu City Fiesta Lawn Tennis Tournament dubbed as “Mayor Arturo Radaza Cup” at the city’s tennis courts.

The tandem of Pompie “Nadal” Saturinas and Fermin “Agassi” Aranda as well as Jun Augusto/Harry Ceniza and Pablito Tumulak/Pepito Dungog spearheaded MILTSCI’s assault after fending off their respective foes by the narrowest of margins in the C Plus category.

Saturinas and Aranda literally had to pass through the eye of the needle before stunning Jude Amores and Antonio Bande of Cordova TC, 8-7.

Augusto and Ceniza overcame a spirited resistance by Ferdie Esteller and Gene Jao of Mactan Air Base to pull off a razor-thin 8-7 victory, while Tumulak and Dungog beat their teammates Billy Deen and Dr. Tac-an via the same verdict in a triple thriller that dazzled the spectators to the max.

Cindi Chan, better half of event organizer and city councilor Junard “Ahong” Chan, stole part of the limelight by winning his first ever match in a tournament. Cindi Chan conspired with Edna Base in demolishing Josephine Padillo and Ma. Salora Abuda, 8-1, while Cheryl Vergara and Sharalyn Tuñacao dispatched Tina Quiñahan and Bing Escoton of Cecille’s TC, 8-6, in the other ladies duel.

The other MILTSCI players who marched into the winners’ podium were Bong Buanhug, Tew Belleza and Lester Berame, Boei Kilantang and Nonie Kilantang, Vir Layaguin and Ernesto Peteluna, Vic Quiñahan and Ruso Zaragosa, Tony Alegre and Efren Abendan, and Mario Amores and Rene Abrea.

Buanhug outclassed Simeon Maglahos III, 8-5, in the juniors category, Belleza and Berame repulsed Rodulfo Dakay and Eleazar Opura of Timex TC, 8-4, while the Kilantangs hammered out an 8-4 triumph over Lito Paller and Arcadio Augusto of Cecille’s TC, 8-4.

Layaguin and Peteluna won by default over Alex Aras and Van Lachica of Timex TC, Quiñahan and Zaragosa nipped Edwin Malabago and Cary Ygot of Timex TC, 8-2, Alegre and Abendan outsmarted Glen Honor and Henjie Aranduque of Camella TC, 8-4, and Amores and Abenda squeaked past Boy Baguio and Lito Espinosa of Y-Club, 8-7.

Nanding Sagaral and Val Rayas of GMC, on the other hand, edged out Ernie Avenido and Douglas Berido, 8-4, Joe Molina and Obeng Galario of Timex TC vanquished MILTSCI duo of Igloy Tuñacao and Sergeno Andrin, 8-4, and Boy Malingin and Arnold Ecoy of Cecille’s TC showed nerves of steel in escaping past Roque Berame and Podrillo Villamor of MILTSCI, 8-7. 

Joseph Topia emerged victorious over Sharalyn Tuñacao of MILTSCI, 8-3, Marcial Trangia and Leonil Gelig defeated Ruc Rabe and Boy Roma, 8-5, while Mario Rizon, Jr. and Mark Diamante of Cecille’s TC stormed past Manjo Calo-oy and Marjun Laplano of MILTSCI, 8-5.

Councilor Ahong Chan is overseeing the games assisted by tournament director Junjun Clarito. The rest of the working committee members are Medjok Paden, Tommy Sumalinog, Alfer Kilantang, and Gil Vilo. —EBV (THE FREEMAN)