Taga Tennis singles, mixed doubles finals set tonight

Champions will be crowned tonight as the 3rd Annual Taga Tennis Tournament will showcase its singles and mixed doubles finals at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

Pushing hard in the hopes of making an appearance in tonight’s finals include young gun Ji Hoon Heo, who punched out fellow youth standout Ralph Buenaventura, 6-4, 6-3 Monday to advance to the semifinals of the men’s open singles.

Also keeping his drive alive was Buddy Garote, who scored an easy victory in the men’s 4.5 singles after opponent Ronnie Lacbayo defaulted, while Romy Espeleta and Rodel Macasinag advanced the same way in the men’s 3.0. Espeleta got his ticket after Dennis Macatangay failed to suit up while Macasinag moved on after Orly De Leon defaulted.

For their part, Father Ryan Jimenez and John Kintaro set up a semifinal meeting in the men’s 4.0 after Jimenez dropped Ruben Leynes 7-5, 6-3 and Kintaro stopped Noel Manalang 6-3, 6-2.

For his part, Eury Carino secured a semifinal ticket in the men’s 2.0 with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Alex Katta, while Bobby Nato had his way against Ralph Alvarado with a straight sets victory 6-1, 6-3.

In the women’s corner, veterans Nelia Luna and Cleoffe Santos secured finals slots in the 4.0 category. Luna had her game face on and cruised past Karen Buettner in straight set 6-2, 6-3, while Santos was given a good fight before prevailing over Vangie Espanola 6-4, 6-3.

In mixed doubles, the one-two punch of Lito Cabrera and Delia Johnson survived a three-setter over Lucita Pasana and Garote. Pasana and Garote were cruising at the start and recorded a 6-1 win in the first set only to return the favor and dropped the second set, 0-6, before Cabrera and Johnson took the third, 6-3.

In the 3.0 class, Nato and Ligaya Paculanang streaked past Feel Kalen and Sadako Arriola 6-1, 6-4.

The semifinals were held yesterday, however, results were not available as of press time. Doubles action will be held from Dec. 9 to 16.

A total of 64 champion and runner-up trophies would be up for grabs in 20 divisions, including the new men’s doubles over-100.

The tournament is organized and hosted by the Saipan Tennis Association, and is sponsored by Pacific Trading Co.

For more information, call STA president Roy Pangelinan at 256-7769, vice president-internal Nelia Luna at 288-5151 or 288-0859, vice president-external Ricky Castro at 285-7344, or officers Agnes Salazar at 286-8472, Vangie Espanola at 285-1468, Richard Asuncion at 287-0856, Edwin Maratas at 287-0870, Noel Manalang at 287-4415, or Peter Loyola at 483-3424. Those interested can also send email to STA at saipan_tennis@yahoo.com.