JEDDAH: Team Chet, composed mostly of guest players, needed just three sets to close the match and secure the championship against a fighting Team Estong, an entry team of Samahang Pinoy Tennis Club, during the finals of the SPTC-sponsored Pinoy Send-off Games at the Trio Ranch tennis courts in dedication to a departing club member Narciso Del Socorro. Team Uly, another SPTC entry, likewise emerged victorious with an equal feat to secure first runner-up place by beating Team KAUH, a guest entry, in the semifinalists' battle. Team captain Ramil Abdua with Dan Hamid started the onslaught of Team Chet, cruising to an 8-4 set victory over the pair of Gary Bautro and Roger Gonzales to secure the first doubles in the best of five sets championship match. The second set was a cliffhanger for the duo of Amin Paraji and Ronald Ricardo when their opponents Froi Malapad and Marlon Pagsanjan of Team Estong led up to the 10th game at 4-6, before a service break and a hold serve coupled with timely executed passing shots by Amin Paraji that put Team Chet on level at 6-6. Sustaining their intensity, Team Chet broke serve again in the 13th game, then served the 14th set to win at 8-6, that notched away the second doubles. In the third set, which came out the ending set, scores were tied in the eighth game at 4-4 before the pair of Alnijar Jarawi and Ron Valdez shifted to high gear and took the next four games to quell the emerging rally of Team Estong's Oca Lovitos and Ben Micu to win the set, 8-4, and went with it the match at 3-0 sets and the championship title. Other players of Team Estong were Lito Bentulan, Rolly Bautista, Romy Sorra and Ellie Baltar. While the champion team SPTC-Chet included Zaldy Ramos, Rommel Roque, Rading Bautista, Art Pascual and Chet Bautista. In the semifinalists battle for third place, SPTC-Uly B showed its mastery over team KAUH without giving away any set. First set was a close 8-6 win by Zainuri and Matori over Ronald and Cizzner Carascal which was followed by an 8-2 victory by Irwan and Vic Alvaran against Allan Pernia and Eden Paras in the second set. Third set saw Cesar Quilindirino and Jun Tomas winning over Caloy Carino and Adi Olegario via an 8-4 score and the fourth set was taken by Usman and Ali Callanta over Corly Obtinalla and Robby Manginsay via an 8-6 score. The tournament was organized and managed by the Samahang Pinoy Tennis Club, under the chairmanship of Corly Obtinalla with able assistance from Vice Chairman Ali Callanta, Secretary Ellie Baltar and Acting Tournament Director Marlon Pagsanjan. Trophies and other awards of appreciation were given after the finals games. __
