Jeddah Ranao Tennis Club (JRTC) survived the first two sets on tie-breaks before securing the match in the fourth set against a highly-favored Sarawat, 3-2 (8-7, 8-7, 4-8, 8-4, 6-8), in category B2 while Saudi British Bank (SABB) was stretched to the limit by MEEC before prevailing (8-5, 4-8, 8-2, 3-8, 8-2) in the 2nd Al-Baik Tennis Challenge being played at the tennis courts of Al-Bilad and Sheraton Hotel. In the lower mix category, powerhouse Jollibee underlined its supremacy with a 4-1 (8-5, 8-3, 4-8, 8-2, 8-0) victory against Tetrapak. It was a long night for JRTC as Alex Yusoph and Jimmy Usman had to settle for a strength-sapping 8-7 (9-7) tie-breaker in subduing Ali Sakay and Sol Bartolome of Sarawat in the first set, but smelled victory as Abet Sani and Lao Salacop duplicated the first set success by pulling the rug from under the steady Epie Dumalaon and Richard Harris at 8-7 (7-5) in another high-wired tie-breaker. With their back against the wall, Sarawat derailed JRTC right on track at 8-4, to extend the match as Roni Santos and Digo Boringot emerged victorious against Kim Guro and Munaim Camama in the third set. In the crucial fourth canto, a determined JRTC captain Acmad Sani teamed up with Hats Mamaenti to fashion out an 8-4 match clincher against Francis Balde and Rafik Shaik. Tuffs Laguindab and Bert Matia of JRTC lost to Mel Uy and Omar Schumacher 6-8 for a final match score of 3-2 for JRTC in Category B2. Battling Magrabi Eye Center, SABB's Ven Abcede and Barry Barrientos delivered the coup de grace with an 8-2 demolition of Joel Orapo and Ted Rocioh tandem in the fifth deciding set for a final 3-2 score. Coordinating and complimenting each other with steady ground strokes, Andy Rentoy and Aaron Quincina set the pace for SABB in the first set with an 8-5 winner against Jonnil Albano and Teng Villan. Cool like cucumber, Brendo Carpio and Rey Soriano of MEEC brushed aside Jovi Bufi and Gregg Quismundo for the 8-4 equalizer, but SABB grabbed back the lead in the third set as Jojie Tolentino and Edgar Magbanua eased past Boyet Apacionado and Melvin Alejo at 8-2. Unyielding, MEEC set the match set at 2-2 deadlock as Rowell Ugalde and Rowell Castro dominated Sammy Reyes and Ruben Castillo at 8-3. Displaying lethal form, title contender Jollibee of Red Sea Tennis Players crushed Tetrapak 4-1 – except in the third set, where Choi Argarin and Fritz Perico moved like brick walls, maintained steady ground strokes and score an 8-4 winner for Tetrapak against Tonton Pana and Jack Walsh. Other match results: Cat. C: Toyota Aljacs vs. Enjaz-Magic 1 (4-1); Jollibee-RSTP vs. MCTC (5-0). Cat. B2: Jollibee-RSTP vs. Shelter (3-2); Enjaz-Magic vs. Jollibee-RSTP3 (3-2); Lacoste-JBTP vs. ELAF (3-2). Cat. LMX : DJ Auto Parts vs. Zuhair Fayez (4-1). Cat MMX: JRTC vs. Lacoste-JBTP (4-1). Organized and managed by the Association of Tennis Clubs (ASTEC) Jeddah, this team tennis tournament is supported by Al-Baik as the main sponsor, under the aegis of Bassam Al-Seyofi and Ed Cabiedes. Co-sponsors are Prince/Deltaz, Al-Enjaz, Metro Bank (Philippines) and The Filipino Channel (TFC). __
