Minor wins Aon women’s 3.0

It was another night of intense action Sunday at the American Memorial Park tennis courts as netters again showcased their skills in the inaugural Aon Insurance Tennis Tournament.

Leading the cast of players was young gun Thea Minor, who won the women’s 3.0 singles with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Cecil Obaldo.

Rose Pederson also got past a tough challenge from Nelia Luna in the women’s 4.0. Luna dominated the opening set for a 6-0 win, and Pederson returned the favor with a 6-4 second set victory. With Luna experiencing cramps, Pederson was able to win and advance, 6-2.

Other top guns that advanced were young gun Ji Hoon Heo and veteran Peter Loyola, who both kept their title hopes alive in the men’s open.

The 14-year-old Heo dominated against veteran Nanding Cajigan as the 6th Micronesian Games hopeful moved past the semifinals and into the finals with a straight sets victory 6-2, 6-2.

For his part, Loyola moved into the semis and set up a bout against fellow veteran Lito Cabrera with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Lope Padilla.

Also having success was Boyet Minor in the men’s 4.5 as he survived a tough test against Ganover Rettin and won in two tough sets, 7-5, 7-5. Dodong Espanola also had a good showing as he defeated Bong Gamab, 6-3, 6-4, while Buddy Garote advanced to the semifinals with a 6-3,3-6, 7-5 victory over Richard Asuncion.

In the lone men’s 4.0 bout, Art Borromeo was able to handle Tony Santos, 6-4, 6-4.

Meanwhile, Jaime Hagos earned the first semifinals ticket in the men’s 3.0 with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Thomas Joab. Mario Buensuceso advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Lorenzo Divino, while Romy Sotto did the same against Jo Joab, 6-4 and 6-3. Rodel Macasinag also scored a quarterfinals berth with a walkover win over Ruben Leynes.

Vener Urena and Zachary Joab advanced in the men’s 2.0, with Urena posting a 6-4, 6-4 beating over Joel Joab, and Zachary stopping Fermin Valle in three sets 2-6, 6-4, and 6-2.

The singles competition will continue throughout he first few days of this week and will be followed by doubles competition.

Doubles will feature play in men’s, women’s, and mixed open, men’s, women’s, and mixed 4.0, and men’s, women’s, and mixed 3.0. STA was to hold a draw for the doubles and mixed doubles competition yesterday at the AMP clubhouse.

For more information about the inaugural Aon Insurance Tennis Tournament, call Roy Pangelinan at 287-7697, Nelia Luna at 287-0859, Ricky Castro at 234-5091, Richard Asuncion at 287-0856, Edwin Maratas at 287-0870, Babu Malayil at 287-4472, Peter Loyola at 285-3135, Lenny Pantaleon at 285-9500, or email saipan_tennis@yahoo.com.