Benjie eyes single, doubles sweep on Tinian

Benjie Decena is looking for a sweep of the singles and doubles championships at the conclusion this weekend of the 2008 Tinian Tennis Tournament.

The youth netter has thoroughly dominated competition at the Tinian Youth Center in San Jose, advancing to the title match of the singles division after compiling a 3-0 win-loss slate following round-robin play.

Decena will take on his father Sonny for all the marbles. The latter finished the eliminations with a 2-1 mark, his only loss exacted by his son.

The father-and-son duo also teamed up in the doubles competitions and will go up against the pair of Archie Montecillo and Rolly Bugarin in the finals

Benjie’s mother, Linda, also is figuring in the championship round of the women’s singles where she will go up against Ellen Uy. Linda finished the eliminations with a perfect 3-0 win-loss record, while Uy came in second at 2-1.

Linda will also see action in the women’s doubles finals, teaming up with Emy Bugarin to take on Yu and Emily Kwon.

Rain postponed the above-mentioned finals to yesterday and today with the awards banquet set for Sunday, Dec. 14.

While Mother Nature interfered with several of the finals matches, the mother-and-daughter pair of Leah and Lannie Cunanan annexed the women’s 2.0 doubles tiara after beating Geizel Kwon and Jennifer Uy, 8-6, Thursday night.

While Geizel lost in 2.0 doubles, she bounced back by winning the girls’ 13-and-under championship against Lannie Cunanan, 6-3.

Other matches Thursday night saw Jake Castro advance to the men’s 2.0 finals after beating Jhun Torregosa with a score of 6-3, 6-2.

Castro was seeded No. 1 in group B after compiling a record of 4-0, while Torregosa was No. 2 at 3-1.

He will now await the winner of the semifinal between Victor Cunanan and Merwin Ramos. The former topped Group A with a 4-0 win-loss mark, while the latter was second place at 3-1.

The beginners men’s doubles, meanwhile, saw Rene Galviz and Alvin Reyes take the championship after outlasting Jimmy Casauran and Ramon Santiago. 6-3, 3-6. 7-6.

In the beginners men’s singles, Jimmy Casauran will play against Rene Galviz in the final.

In the men’s 3.0 singles, Group A leader James Clemente (4-0) will square off against Group B runner-up Lualhati Malimban (3-1), while Group B topnotcher Jonathan San Nicolas (4-0) takes on Group A No. 2 Manny Secencio (3-1).

Organizers of the 2008 Tinian Tennis Tournament would like to extend its thank you to the 12th Tinian Municipal Council, Mayor’s Office, Tinian Youth Center, PTI, Island Garden, and Tinian Ice & Water Co. for supporting the competition.