Pangelinan thanks sponsors, members

Saipan Tennis Association president Roy Pangelinan thanked the sponsors of the 2nd Annual Taga Tennis Tournament during the event’s awards ceremony and club Christmas party held last Friday at the Hot City Karaoke Bar in San Jose.

Pangelinan also raised a glass to players that competed in the tournament as well as the tennis association’s membership that worked hard to make the 2nd Taga Tennis Tournament and the soon-to-be finished year another success.

The STA president made particular mention of the contributions made by main sponsor Pacific Trading Co.

“On behalf of our officers, members and players I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our major sponsor Pacific Trading and Miller Lite. I would especially like to extend my appreciation to PTC general manager Charles Cepeda and his able lieutenant Mike Babauta for their continued support of our association and this tournament,” he said.

Pangelinan also extended the tennis association’s thanks to minor sponsors USS Peleliu Club and its owner Rose Philips and Yuichiro’s Printing Design.

“Without the support and contributions of our sponsors, this tournament and our Christmas party wouldn’t be possible. We hope that they continue to assist us as our future sponsors,” he added.

For their patience and understanding, Pangelinan also said kudos to the players for sticking it out with STA and the tournament through thick and thin and through the numerous brownouts and rain delays.

The STA president also gave recognition to the Tinian Tennis Association members and players, who despite the distance and the rough weather, still joined the tournament and gave a good account of themselves by taking home nine championship and runner-up trophies.

Pangelinan even joked that Saipan tennis players better shape up because Tinian netters are slowly gaining ground on them, as witnessed by their harvest of trophies in the recent tournament.

To those sitting on the sidelines and have yet to take up tennis, Pangelinan also encouraged them try out the sport in preparation for STA’s next tournament early next year.

“To those new players and to those who have not played yet in our tournaments, we encourage you to start preparing for our upcoming tournament in 2005. Our next sponsor will probably be Toyota and this possibly will start in March.

Pangelinan also thanked American Memorial Park ranger Chuck Sayon, companies who donated in-kind donations for the raffle, and the media—namely KMCV, Marianas Variety, and Saipan Tribune—for covering and reporting their events.