More champions crowned in Taga Tennis

The first half of the 3rd Annual Taga Tennis Tournament is now in the books as seven more champions were crowned Thursday night at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

Leading the cast was Buddy Garote, who played his heart out and held off a determined stand by veteran Nanding Cajigan to reign supreme in the men’s 4.5 singles. Garote had the start he wanted and won the first set, 6-4, but Cajigan refused to throw in the towel and put up a better performance in the second to knot the match with a 6-2 win. Garote then recovered and earned the title with a 6-3 clincher.

Not new to the headlines is crossover female sensation Mayuko Arriola, who continues to thrive in the men’s competition to take top honors in the singles men’s 4.0 class. Arriola played solid tennis and turned back a decent effort by John Wayne Kintaro with a straight sets 6-4 and 6-3victory.

For his part, Noel Manalang rose to the top of the men’s 3.0 singles, but had to work really hard to do so as he received stiff resistance from Babu Malayil. The two engaged in a tight battle, with Manalang squeaking by in the first set, 6-4. Malayil then retaliated and forced a do-or-die third set after surviving and taking the second set by the same score, 6-4. The score came up again, and this time, it was Manalang who had favor as he secured the title.

Meanwhile, the husband-and-wife combination of Renato “Dodong” Espanola showed they make a good team as they bagged the mixed doubles 4.0 title. The two dominated the first set against Ronnie Lacbayo and Cleofe Santos for a 6-1 victory, and pushed the right buttons in the second set to close the match, 7-6 (8-6).

Others who were crowned champions in the past days were Vener Urena in the men’s 2.0 singles, Ji Hoon Heo in the men’s open, and Cleofe Santos in the women’s 4.0. Vangie Espanola also won the women’s 3.0 singles while Arriola topped the women’s open.

Also finding success were Art Lopez and Mario Buensuceso as they advanced past the opening round of the men’s 3.0 doubles with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 victory over the duo of Hiob Ngirachemor and Charito Ngircheungel, while George Lizardo and Diony Peralta stopped Vener Urena and Rommel Resuello in the 2.0 action with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

Tony Santos and Toshi Beltau also had shining moments as they downed Franz Reksid and Kintaro in the Over-100 category 7-5, 6-3.

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.