Loyola to contest open finals vs Heo

Veteran tennis player Peter Loyola will contest the men’s open title of the inaugural Aon Insurance Tennis Tournament with youth netter Jo Hoon Heo after the latter advanced to the finals Monday night at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

Loyola used all the tricks in his bag to dispose of cagey baseliner Lito Cabrera in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. Heo made it to the finals after defeating Nanding Cajigan the other night in straight sets.

The women’s open final pairing was also completed the same evening, as Vivian Lee outlasted Lucita Pasana, forcing the veteran ball smasher to retire in two abbreviated sets, 6-3, 1-2 (retired).

Lee will face fellow CNMI National Tennis Team player Laila Mailman for all the marbles.

Both championship games of the men’s and women’s open were played last night, but results were still not available as of press time.

The Final Four of the men’s 4.4, meanwhile, was also finally completed Monday after Renato “Dodong” Espanola and Lope Padilla joined early semifinalists Boyet Minor and Buddy Garote.

Espanola survived a spirited late-game rally by Father Ryan Jimenez to enter the semis, 6-1, 7-5, while Padilla survived a three-set marathon match against Saipan Tennis Association president Roy Pangelinan, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5).

The lone match in the men’s 4.0 saw Simon Gregorio barge into the semifinals in his first tournament on island following his 6-1, 6-4 one-sided victory over Abet Encarnacion.

After a long wait, Jaime Hagos finally has an opponent in the semifinals of the men’s 3.0, as Mario Buensuceso, Dr. Gary Ramsey, and Babu Malayil all prevailed in their quarterfinals assignments.

Buensuceso defeated Rodel Macasinag, 6-3, and will play Dr. Ramsey in the semis following the former’s 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 victory against Romnick Sotto.

Malayil, for his part, got the better of Isagani Cortez, 6-4, 6-4, and will challenge Hagos for a slot in the men’s 3.0 finals.

The championship in the men’s 2.0 is all set and it will feature greenhorns Aldrin Sta. Ana and Zachary Joab disputing the title. Sta. Ana advanced to the championship round after beating Vener Urena, 6-2, 6-2. Joab, for his part, had more difficulty putting away Romy Pandoro but nevertheless won in a score of 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

The singles competition of the STA-organized event will be followed by doubles competition, which 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.

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.