JEDDAH: Hot Shots remained unbeaten, as it dealt team Hot Rods their first defeat by scoring a 3-1 win to keep their slate clean after their second match. Hot Balls also continued to dominate their opponents, this time beating winless Hot Holes with a comfortable 3-1 victory. Competition is turning stiffer as the SPTC Summer Challenge 2011, being played at the King Abdul Aziz University tennis courts, enters semifinals round. Hot Shots captain Oca Lovitos with perennial partner Mario Betorio out-steadied Hot Rods' Erwan Nurlawis/Ellie Baltar 8-5. Not to be outdone, team Hot Rods' Choi Argarin and Erwan Nurlawis, who played for the no-show Tahir Ibrahim controlled the second set to beat Hot Shots' Gary Bautro/Lama Pamulang with an 8-3 set score to tie the match at 1-1. With the match back to a level score, Hot Shots Ronald Ricardo/Jun Tomas could not be denied victory as they methodically clawed at their rivals Ben Micu/Lino Bautista to close the third set 8-5 and give the lead to Hot Shots at 2-1. A crucial fourth set for Hot Rods to tie the match was foiled by Hot Shots' Julius Garcia/Mario Betorio, who played for the injured Kafrawi Nasri, as they overpowered the pair of Rading Bautista/Vhoi Ortiz in tie-break to win the set at 8-7 and the match at 3-1. On the other court, Hot Balls was unforgiving against team Hot Holes, as the pair of Moi Noto/Barum Bahrom wasted no time to demolish the pair of Cizzner Carascal/Rolly Bautista to take the first set 8-4 for an early 1-0 lead. In the second set, team captain Marlon Pagsanjan with Darrell Eltagonde played a more steady game against the pair of Zainuri Ibrahim/Budi Santoso winning via an 8-3 score to give Hot Balls a commanding 2-0 lead. In the third set, the pairing combination of Romy Sorra with novice player Reggie Robles proved to work wonders as they were able to defeat the stronger pairing of Ali Callanta/Saiful Rahman to win the set via tie-break 8-7 and together with it the match. Playing for points in the 4th set, Hot Holes Cizzner Carascal/Lito Bentulan won 8-3 against Chet Bautista/Rik Maulion to post a final match score of 3-1 for the Hot Balls. The single round-robin team tennis tournament of SPTC is played every weekend and is another project of the 2011 officers under the chairmanship of Ali Callanta. Tournament director is Oca Lovitos with assistance from Marlon Pagsanjan, Ellie Baltar and Ernesto Sandoval. __
