Unsinkable Peter Lee wins senior doubles with pal, 82

He had undergone a triple heart bypass, and only last year, he had three major operations that forced him to take a long rest.

Yet, restaurateur Peter Lee, 75, who had pocketed countless titles in senior doubles tournaments, never thought it was the end of the road. Only recently, after getting a clean bill of health from his doctors, Lee picked up his tennis racket and started swinging again with his partner Joe Tabora, 82, to rule the Star Wars 2002 at the Philippine Columbian Association courts in Plaza Dilao, Paco.

They won it with flying colors, blasting the entire 11-team opposition, except the last doubles squad to which they conceded the game since they had already been assured of the title.

"I don’t know how many (doubles) titles I have already won – countless," says Lee.

Lee, a half Chinese and half Igorot, is himself quite surprised how he still manages to play a good round of tennis and defeat his peers despite three major operations last year.

"Probably it’s in the genes," says Lee, owner-operator of Peter Lee’s Hong Kong Tea House on Mabini street near UN Avenue.

Lee, the all-conquering senior doubles champ who is as good a cook as he is on the court, believes he still has the stamina and staying power to win many more crowns at his age, but says, in half jest, "I’ve already won so many, I’m tired of winning."