JEDDAH: The matches at the SPTC Summer Challenge 2011 being held every weekend at the King Abdul Aziz University tennis courts approached fever pitch, as the resurging Hot Balls team pounded the Hot Spots team 3-1, while the league-leader Hot Rods kept its winning streak by subduing the debuting Hot Holes team on points at the end of the regulation sets of the match at 2-sets all. Hot Balls started strong as team captain Marlon Pagsanjan and partner Darrel Eltagonde tamed Hot Spots' Nilo Borata/Joel Chan with an 8-4 victory in the 1st set. A pairing gamble in the 2nd set achieved positive results as Chet Bautista and novice player Reggie Robles was pitted against the team's strongest pair of Matori Abdulshayed/Ahmed Mustoleh as decoy pair. As expected, the Hot spots pair won at 2-8 to tie the match at 1-1 that set up the 3rd set as the crucial set. Hot Balls' Romy Sorra and Barum Bahrom rose to the occasion and played a steadier game against the opponents and cruised past Vic Alvaran/Mahdi Mahyuddin with an 8-4 victory to lead the match at 2-1. The 4th set was a no contest as Marlon Pagsanjan, playing for injured player Moi Noto teamed-up with Rik Maulion to wreak havoc on Roger Gonzales and neophyte player Hajji Pilongo winning via an 8-1 rout for the match clincher at 3-1. Playing on court 1, Hot Rods with ace pair Erwan Nurlawis/Tahir Suryadi had to scratch for every point before disposing of the Hot Holes' duo of Zainuri Ibrahim/Budi Santoso to win the set at 8-6. Hot Holes' Saiful Rahman/Pio Coronado won the second set 8-5 after Choi Argarin's partner Ellie Baltar retired due to a sprained ankle to set the match score to 1-1. The 3rd set saw Lino Bautista/Ben Micu victorious against Cizzner Carrascal/Budi Santoso at 8-4 to carry the Hot Rods to a 2-1 lead. Poised for the kill, Rading Bautista/Vhoi Ortiz failed to deliver as they lost a close 7-8 at tie-break against Ali Callanta/Lito Bentulan of Hot Holes that tied the match at 2-2. Cumulative points in all sets accounted for 28-26, in favor of the Hot Rods to claim their second win. The single round-robin team tennis tournament of SPTC 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. __
