JEDDAH — It was a down-the-wire finish as RSTP-Tennis Pro beat DP World via points 2(27)-2(26) in their Category MMX encounter to book its place in the semifinals, while JRTC-Tuffs disposed of SPTC in three sets to secure a berth in the semifinals in the B2 Category. Hidada-1 had to make good in the final set to prevent a late rally by SPTC to win the match 2(29)-2(22) and move to the next round in Category C. Reem Riviera-Uricane was the most successful team as its Categories C and LMX entries made the semis after defeating their respective opponents in the 5th Al Baik Tennis Tournament 2013. Red Sea Tennis Players' Tennis Pro team took the first set with Domelo Gesto and Zaid Fahmi Ahmed beating Rad Montero and Lito Mosquera 8-6. Yul and Bonnie Zafra took the second set 8-4 against Arnel and Gil Tingabngab to make it 2-0. But DP World took the third set with Dominic Dadal and Joel Chan winning 8-6 over Randy Martin and Dondon Alcantara. Conrad Matias and Choy Argarin then defeated Tonton Pana and Agot Delas Alas 8-5 to tie the match at 2-2, but team Tennis Pro was declared the winner via points 27-26 sending it to the semifinals. Jeddah Ranao Tennis Club's JRTC-Tuffs team stormed to a 3-0 win against Samahang Pinoy Tennis Club (SPTC) in their Category B2 encounter. First, Jimmy Usman and Mohammad Noor Halil routed Cizzner Carrascal and Romy Sorra 8-1. Then Lao and Sammy Macapaar beat Allan Pernia and Joey Manalo 8-6. Noroden and Tuffs Laguindab sealed the win with an 8-5 score over Celso Abella and Norwin Catipay. In Category C, Hidada-1 outlasted SPTC to win via points. Hidada's Dave Bengco and Joseph Deapara won the first set 8-2 against Danny Baylosis and Eleazar Baltar. Second set saw SPTC's Mario Betorio and Pol Fernandez win 8-6 over Elmer Sagales and Rico Arenas. Third set was again controlled by SPTC as Ben Micu and Waymor Carmelotes beat Ryan Boquiren and Romy Telfo via tie-break 8-7. Hidada's Melchor Uy and Pons Hernandez won the fourth set against Roy Timtiman and Darwin Pizarro 8-4 to tie the match at 2-2. Hidada claimed the match with a points lead of 29-22 to secure its place in the semis. Also winning its quarterfinals matches was Uricane Tennis Club's team Reem Riviera in Category C after it routed RSTP-MTTS 3-0. Then its Category LMX team also moved to the semis with a 2-1 win against JRTC-Acmad to advance to the semis. Organized and managed by the Association of Tennis Clubs in Jeddah (ASTEC) under the helm of its chairman 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) 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.
