Colin over Moris in men’s open singles

Colin Ramsey in action against Moris Villanueva in the men’s open singles finals of the 2022 Tan Holdings Tennis Classic last Sunday at the American Memorial Park tennis courts. (MARK RABAGO)

Colin Ramsey got the better of his friendly rivalry with Moris Villanueva to win the men’s open singles of the 2022 Tan Holdings Tennis Classic last Sunday at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

The 22-year-old CNMI national tennis player outlasted Villanueva in a super tiebreaker after the two former junior players split the first two sets to win the championship, 6-3, 3-6, 10-6. 

Ramsey, who bagged a gold medal in the men’s team division of the 2022 Mini Games, gave kudos to Villanueva for a well played championship match. 

“He’s always been a tough competitor. We’ve been playing since we were 12 together. It’s just so nice to have him play in the tournament. I had to convince him I said, ‘Morris, let’s join. You know, I really like to play against you again.’ And we practiced a lot and this is why I knew it was gonna be a tough match, especially with the heat and the rain. It made it all the more difficult for us. It was mentally challenging, physically challenging. But, you know, I won’t count him out in the next tournament. I know he’s gonna come back with a vengeance and I gotta be ready.”

Mount Carmel School student Siwoo Lee won the boys 14 division of the 2022 Tan Holdings Tennis Classic 2022. Lee also placed second in the men’s 4.0 of the same tournament. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

For the record, Ramsey said his win against Villanueva last Sunday was the first time he beat the Crowne Plaza Saipan tennis pro since they both were 14 years old.

“Well, I’m just so happy to be playing tennis at a higher competitive level,” said the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup veteran, who thanked his family and CNMI Sports Hall of Famer Jeff Race for his victory in the men’s singles 5.0.

Ramsey, who came in as the No. 1 seed, kicked off his campaign with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over David Kwon before following that up with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Race, his longtime coach.

Villanueva, meanwhile, blanked Nason Wessel, 6-0, 6-0, in his first match before the No. 2 seed eked out a 6-4, 4-6, 10-8 triumph against Tomas Abel, the No. 3 seed.

In the men’s singles 4.0, La Hunn Lam grabbed his second division championship after sweeping Si Woo Lee, 6-0, 6-0, in the finals.

Marlon Bercilla, meanwhile, won the men’s singles 3.0 after overcoming John Kenneth Casauran, 6-3, 6-4, in the finals.

In the men’s singles 40, Paul Jang took the cake after not dropping a set in the division, while top seed David Lai topped the men’s singles 60.

Lam partnered with Henry Choi to win the men’s doubles 4.0 after dispatching Wessel and June Yu, 7-57-6(2).

Bercilla won another title when he teamed up with J.R. Jacinto to top the men’s doubles 3.0 following a 6-1, 6-4 win over Mamoru and Yutaka Kadokura.

Other winners include Bong Gamab and Ronnie Lacbayo in the men’s doubles 40, Lacbayo and Roy Pangelinan in the men’s doubles 50, and Jorge Orlanda and Joe Quitigua in the  men’s doubles 60.

Results of women’s singles and doubles and mixed doubles will be reported in tomorrow’s issue of Saipan Tribune.

The 2022 Tan Holdings Tennis Classic was sanctioned by the Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association and its sponsors include Quality Distributors, ACS Trust, Mobil Oil Marianas, IT&E, Shirley’s Coffee Shop, D&Q Saipan, Alliance Metal Specialists, TakeCare Insurance, All Star Sporting Goods,  Tsang Brothers Corp., Docomo Pacific, McDonald’s Guam and Saipan, MarPac, iShop, and Athletes Foot.