MILTSCI, Marigondon bets keep charge in 'Lapu tennis

CEBU - They competed in the Century Old category or for entries whose combined age is least 100 years old but they way they played, it seems like Conrad Ordoñez and Peter Godinez of Mactan Island Lawn Tennis Sports Club Inc. (MILTSCI) were just in their teens.

Displaying ageless agility and reflexes, the 64-year Ordoñez, Air Traffic Services chief of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) of Mactan International Airport, and Godinez of San Miguel Corporation, stunned the lawyer tandem of Vic Quiñahan and Roso Zaragosa, 8-5, to set off their title campaign on a bright note in the 2008 Lapu-Lapu City Fiesta Tennis billed as “Mayor Arturo Radaza Cup” last Saturday at the city’s tennis courts.

The victory of Ordoñez and Godinez capped what had been another sizzling foray of MILTSCI netters.

In the 12-under battle involving MILTSCI’s players, Bale Kinaadman outclassed Kyle Calo-oy, 8-2, Alvin Corbo blanked John Mark Abad, 8-0, while Mary Tuñacao clobbered Adrian Kinaadman, 8-2.

In the 16-under class, Marigondon TC bets caught the spotlight with Axel Rosel Tambis shutting down Irish Jaca of Mactan Air Base TC, 8-0, and Art Kevin Tambis and John Harris Salumag crushing MILTSCI’s Hanna Jaramillo, 8-3, and Mark Amodia, 8-0, respectively.

MILTSCI’s lone bright spot in the said age-group bracket was Joshua Kinaadman, who defeated teammate Denden Ybañez, 8-5, while Mary de la Peña edged out her Mactan Air Base comrade Harvey Singculan, 8-6.

The Marigondon TC mainstays continued their charge in the C Minus division. Boy Baguio and Esterlito Espinosa outpointed Rudy Tapay and Edgar Layam of Timex TC, 8-4, while Arnold Tambis and Vic Portacion whipped Carl Arriola and Roy Lim of Camella Homes TC, 8-3. The other C Minus winners were Mark Largo and Dave Ledesma, who bested MILTSCI’s Mark Amodia and Arnold Amodia, 8-4.

In the C Plus action, Jonh Salumag and Wilson Potot of Marigondon TC dismantled Ricardo Tuñacao and Ken Tuñacao of MILTSCI, 8-2, while Reymond Sambas and Mike Odi of Timex TC crushed Jun Diaz and Melvin Patunil of Y-Club, 8-4.

Two more MILTSCI pairs chalked up wins. Titing Pejo and Jetjet Lagura triumphed over Joe Art Asturga and Ruel Pejana of GMC TC, 8-4, while Norman Pesodas and Arnold Amodia handily mangled teammates Jun del Corro and Joseph Danosos, 8-0.   

In the most applauded match of the night, Nelson Dayuday and Rey Bacolot of PAL TC had to pass through the wringer before getting rid of the hard-fighting real husband-and-wife tandem of Etud and Berto de la Peña of Mactan Air Base via an 8-7 (7/5) cliffhanger.

Down 3-6, the De la Peña couple staged a courageous fightback to knot the count at 7-all and forge a race-to-7 rubbermatch. Again trailing by three in the decider, 1-4, the De la Peñas rallied to pull within a hairline, 6-7, but Bacolot countered with a powerful shot for the kill.

Meanwhile, Cecille Rizon and Merlyn Cortes, both Certified Public Accountants, handed Dr. Lecille Kilantang and Agnes Sumalinog of MILTSCI their first loss via a lopsided 8-2 decision in the lone ladies duel of the day. Rizon is the owner of Cecille’s Tennis Club.

The month-long tilt, which is among the highlights of the annual fiesta celebration of Lapu-Lapu in honor of its beloved patroness Virgin of the Rule (Birhen sa Regla) on November 20, is organized by city councilor Junard “Ahong” Chan. He is assisted by tournament director Junjun Clarito with Alfir Quilantang and Nonie Quilantang as working committee members. – EBV (THE FREEMAN)