The one-day tournament is in honor of Dela Paz, PNOC executive who was appointed as Energy Chief under the administration of President Corazon Aquino. He was a tennis enthusiast.
The Dela Paz Cup is the fourth leg of a series of tournaments organized by the Tennistars. The others are the RCBC Cup, the PNOC-sponsored Renato Constantino Cup and the Caltex-sponsored Pat Gonzales Memorial Cup.
Robert Mananquil, Tennistars president and director/columnist of the Journal Group of Publications, said Dela Paz’ widow, Corazon, SSS president, will grace the launching of the tournament and assist PNOC officials in the awarding of trophies to the winners.
Playing for the Newsmakers are Australian Ambassador Ruth Pearce, German Ambassador Herbert Jess, Volker Avenmarg of the German Cultural Center, Gerard Barnard of the Swiss Embassy and Wolfgang Schanzebach.
Others are DBP chairman Nanny Nanagas, SSS vice president Philip Carino, former Prime Minister Cesar Virata and Jimmy Panganiban of RCBC, P/Director Ricardo de Leon of PNP, NAIA deputy general manager Art Atutubo and MMDA general manager Robert Nacianceno.
In the team also are Rufino Bomasang, president of PNOC Exploration Corp., Cesar Tapia, president of PNOC Shipping Co., Art Balaoloa of the Department of Energy, Mario Taguines, Art Mori and other PNOC executives.
The Tennistars are composed of Tony Katigbak, Jess Diaz and Domini Suarez of the Philippine Star, Dennis Eroa and Thelma San Juan of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Fort Yerro and Chit Lijauco of Manila Times, Vergel Santos of Business World, Loy Caliwan of Balita, Don Reyes of Manila Standard, Derrek Tesoro of Channel 7, Vic Milan of DWBR, Rollie Malicsi of CBS TV, Danny Gozo of Philippine News, Nemesio Dacanay, Mon Santiago, Peter Limqueco, Pons Doloroso, Joe Garcia, Ching Henson, Joe Balajadia, Nandy Pacheco, Dante Aquino and Resty Perez.