CIC Tennis Classic gets served

The CIC Tennis Classic formally kicked off with no less than the company’s general manager opening the event with a ceremonial service Thursday night at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

CIC general manager Nel Matanguihan was joined by the company’s top brass in the startup to the two-week singles and doubles tournament.

Assisting him across the court was FILATA president Eli Buenaventura. Also trying his hand from the baseline moments later was Century Group of Companies president Dave Sablan.

Matanguihan thanked FILATA for once again giving CIC the opportunity to sponsor the event in his brief opening speech. He also mentioned that they are glad that the local tennis association has decided to donate 50 percent of tournament proceeds to the company’s charity of choice.

“We’re more than happy to support FILATA in this endeavor once again and are delighted that profits for the tournament will come back to the community.”

Buenaventura, for his part, saluted CIC for its continued support of the tennis tournament. He also harked back on the club and company’s long partnership.

“We’ve had a long and fruitful relationship with Tan Holdings Co. (The mother company of CIC). We actually started this tournament way back in 1989 and now were in 2004. We’re very proud that the relationship has lasted this long and we look forward to another 15 years of making this happen.”

The AMP tennis courts immediately got busy after the program as doubles matches got underway.

Ramon Angeles paired with Sathayan to overwhelm Yesman Gurung and David Gott, 7-5, 6-2, in the first of three men’s 3.0 games that evening.

The two other games saw Babu Malayil and Romy Espeleta trump Nigel Cacdac and Eric Mahinay, 6-3, 6-1, while the CHC team of Richard “Doc” Brostrom and Gary Ramsey took out Mossino Flouti and Eric Robinson, 6-2, 6-3.

In men’s 4.0, Manny Po and Didith Julve were the architects of the night’s longest and most exciting match, as they needed two-and-a-half hours to defeat Ronnie Decena and Tony Santos, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-1).

Gerald Narciso and Richard Asuncios, meanwhile, took the easier route in their 6-4, 6-4 win over Buddy Garote and Eric Mahinay in the only other men’s 4.0 action of the evening.

Youth then prevailed over experience in the lone 4.5 match, as Ralph Buenaventura and Nicolas Son eliminated Ronnie Lacbayo and Elmer Guzman, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.

In the women’s open, Shinobu Furr played beautiful music with Cleofe Santos in their 6-3, 6-1 victory against junior players Lila Mailman and Vivian Lee.

Matches actually preceded the formal opening with four games in the men’s 4.0 and 3.0 divisions played Wednesday night.

In 3.0 men’s action, Nigel Cacdac and Eric Mahinay triumphed over Roy Banados and Mario Buensuceso, 6-2, 6-3. The other game in the division then saw Edwin Quismundo and Tanaka getting the better of the mother-and-daughter tandem of Sally Wong and Vivian Lee.

Art Lopez and Jaime Hagos were victorious in their men’s 4.0 match against Rodel Macasinag and Sathyan, 6-4, 6-0. The final match that evening then had another CHC pair, Bert Ventura and Dodong Espinola, topping Noel Manalang and Ramon Angeles, 6-2, 6-2.