Heo outlasts Loyola in marathon-long finals

Young gun Ji Hoon Heo used his youth to advantage and outlasted veteran Peter Loyola in the marathon finals of the men’s open singles Wednesday night as action in the 3rd Annual Taga Tennis Tournament continued at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

The rising star, who upset 2005 Palau Mini South Pacific Games hotshot Daniel Son in the semifinals to earn his finals ticket, made a huge statement by taking down another veteran top gun in Loyola in straight sets, but had to work for every point.

The two analyzed each other well throughout their bout in hopes of breaking ahead, matching each other point for point for most parts of the challenge.

They engaged in a neck-and- neck battle from the very start as a tiebreaker was needed to determine the first set winner.

That’s when Heo came up with huge shots to take the set, 7-6 (7-3).

Despite the tough loss, Loyola remained determined and kept his focus in hopes of pulling even. The two were again engaged in an even contest in the second set and again, a tiebreaker was needed.

Unlike the first set tiebreaker, Loyola managed to keep close. The two were at 6-6 in the tiebreaker when fatigue and exhaustion sunk in as both players experienced cramps, forcing officials to grant an injury time out.

“We checked them and gave them an injury time out because they were both cramping,” said Saipan Tennis Association president Roy Pangelinan. “We then told them that if only one can continue, the other will lose by default, and both of them really wanted to win…they both stood up and began to play again.”

Already earning praise from the crowd, Heo and Loyola resumed their marathon battle, with Heo coming up with just enough to close the set, 7-6 (9-7) for the title.

According to Pangelinan, Heo and Loyola battled for almost four hours.

Meanwhile, Vener Urena claimed the men’s singles 2.0 crown after stopping Sunny Shakir 7-5, 6-1, while Babu Malayil earned a finals appearance in the men’s 3.0 after storming past Rodel Macasinag for a 6-3, 6-1 victory.

Women’s open singles champion Mayuko Arriola and John Kintaro earned finals tickets for the men’s 4.0 after putting up impressive performances in the semifinals. Arriola defeated Aramis Dailo in straight sets, 6-3 and 6-3, while Kintaro was taken to the limit before coming through over Father Ryan Jimenez 7-6 (9-7), 3-6, 6-3.

In the women’s corner, Cleofe Santos secured the 4.0 title after turning back Nelia Luna in straight sets. Luna fought hard in the first set and gave Santos a good run before faltering, 4-6. Santos then controlled the second set to clinch the win, 6-2.

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

For more information, contact Roy Pangelinan at 256-7769, Nelia Luna at 288-5151 or 288-0859, Ricky Castro at 285-7344, 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, Lenny Pantaleon at 285-9500, Peter Loyola at 285-3135, Marlon Estigoy at 287-0895, or email at saipan_tennis@yahoo.com