Khobar - The Hempel Dart Cup 2008 Team Tournament formally started last Friday with nine teams competing already certain of playing in this twelve-week long darting event. However, the organizing committee EPDA (Eastern Province Darters Association), has decided to extend the last date for registration until Friday to allow those interested darters to join the tournament. Eight teams already started their campaign on the opening day including the four powerhouse teams of AFICO Strikers, two host teams Hempel's Dart Vaders-1 and 2 and two newcomer teams from JAL International Arrows and Al-Mana Hospital Los Darteros. The last entry team Bulleros remained idle. Considered as the top seed with an almost intact line-up that won the Hempel Cup 07 is Afico Striker-1 which is composed of top darter Allen Rosales, Arnold Ramos, Doms Adalig, Amante James and Rey Mariveles. It posted two early wins, first against JAL Int'l. Arrows with a scary win of 9-7 then followed it up with a convincing win in its second game against sister team Afico Striker-4 with a 9-5 score. Division-C singles champion Jerry Roldan, Division-B player Flasci Guevara, Greg Perias, Darlo Landingin and Randall Ardiente spearheads JAL Int'l. Arrows. Hempel's Dart Vaders-1 and 2 drew each other early with the latter winning 9-7. Dart Vaders-2 was composed of Division-A player Garry Medina, Benjie Tamayo, Pong de Dios, Marvin Tadeo and newly elevated Division-B player Danny Mata. Dart Vaders-1 is bannered by seasoned darters Agaton Espiritu, Mhon-nee Lopez, Noel Marte Dizon, Nath Ramilo and new recruit Jhun Camia. Al-Mana Los Darteros yielded its debut game against AFICO Striker-4 with the score of 9-4 then suffered another stinging setback in its next match versus Dart Vaders-1, going down 7-9. John Gutierrez, Dino Andrada, Jeff Villanueva, Jerry Duca and Ely Solomon comprised the all rookie team of Los Darteros which got the support of its employer Najeeb Al-Mana while veteran darters Ernie Acompa?ado, Edgar Ramos, Frank Casoco, new recruit Alberto Cruz and playing co-team manager Willy de Vera were at the forefront of AFICO Striker-4. The final match between the two remaining AFICO Strikers-2 and 3 was closely contested which the former won via 9-7 score. The match went even after 14 games (where 16-singles matches to be played) with the score tied at 7-7. It was only in the last 2 games that Striker-2 got the upper hand with Gary Terso beating Marlon Gonzales on the 15th game then Chris Calalo closed it out with win over Abel Fari?as on the 16th and final game avoiding the crucial four-man team decision game. Terso, Calalo, Nonoy Coraza, Ronald Galvan and Gary Tolentino formed the AFICO Striker-2 while veterans Mel Ponce, Jommel Laynesa, Fari?as, Gonzales and co-team manager Gilbert Santos led AFICO Striker-3. Two special records were achieved during the first week - Arnold Ramos of Afico Striker-1 recorded the least darts on 501-game via 17-darts out finish and Abel Fari?as of Afico Striker-3 hit the first T80 of the tournament. __
