JEDDAH — Team Saudia Catering kept its hopes alive when it beat team RSTP 3-1 in their LMX encounter, while team Aziziyah fortified its chances with a 2(25)-2(20) win over team JRTC-Rashid as the battle for the three remaining spots in the LMX Group II tightens among the five teams. In the MMX category, team Alzate-Murcia finished the eliminations round with a 2-2 win-loss record when it beat team JRTC-Jimmy 3-1 handing JRTC its first loss in three matches. The teams are trying their best to win the all important games that will guarantee them spots into the next round of the 5th Al Baik Tennis Tournament 2013. It was deadlocked at 1-1 going into the third set after Saudia Catering's Anas and Al Gamal took the first set 8-4 against Saeed and Joel Quimpo. Then RSTP's Ikot and Dondon Alcantara won 8-3 over Dr. Mounir and Mohammad Noor Halil. But Farouk Salacop and Sammy Macapaar nearly blanked Alex Tam and Ahmad Lagman with an 8-1 win to hand the Caterers a 2-1 lead with a plus six advantage. Michael and Alex Modi then made sure that the match was theirs when they raced to an 8-4 win over Jonathan Contreras and Cris Balles to secure a 3-1 victory for Saudi Catering. Team Aziziyah had to work hard specially in the fourth set as it stared at defeat against team JRTC-Rashid, thanks to the heroic efforts of Awes and Faizan who won 8-1 against Rashid andTuffs Laguindab. That win helped them nail the match 2(25)-2(20). Bashamah and Khaled won the first set 8-3 against Jimmy Sultan and Rash Guindolongan to hand Aziziyah 1-0 lead. But JRTC controlled the next two sets with Raj and Raldy Sultan winning 8-6 against Rezayath and Amer then Noroden and Ken Mapandi taking the third set with an 8-3 score against Ibrahim and Belal. In the MMX Category, Alzate-Murcia blew the match wide open as it won three sets in succession before losing the fourth set to register a 3-1 victory against team JRTC-Jimmy. First set saw Loi Escabusa and Efren Bulatao beat Noroden and Tuffs Laguindab 8-4. Padel Page and Robert Rayos then registered an 8-7 win over Barra and Daud Mua. In the clincher, Ruben Alzate and Fred Masangkay beat Jimmy Sultan and Albert Bayot 8-4. Kris Temblique and Alex Pena were the only losers for Murcia as they bowed to Maroouf Pantaran and Acmad Sani 6-8. Amid the hectic schedule, ASTEC officials also took time out to launch an on-going campaign to solicit donations for the victims of typhoon Haiyan that devastated the Visayan part of the Philippines. Organized and managed by the Association of Tennis Clubs in Jeddah (ASTEC) under the chairmanship of Francis Idjao Jr. and Tournament Director Tonton Pana, this 26th ASTEC team tennis tournament is presented in partnership with Al Baik Food Systems Co. Ltd. represented by Bassam Al-Seyofi (PR Manager), Mahmoud Al-Jaber (Marketing Coordinator) and Ed Cabiedes (Branch Manager) and is supported by Deltaz Marketing (Racquet Shop) courtesy of Tony Kassis, Maher Tebakhi and Amin Malik. Also providing support are Skyfreight Forwarders, TFC The Filipino Channel and Pepsi Bugshan.
