RIYADH, August 22, 2000 The King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH) led by Lito Sapon and the Security Forces Hospital (SFH) clinched the crowns of the B2 and B1 categories respectively at the HITTT 2000 tennis tournament, an exclusive event lined up for the city hospitals, which now simmers to en end.
KKESH beat Insurance Hospital (IH) 34-30 in the last round and took this honor in this biggest category for the men. With home advantage, the showdown took place in a warm and friendly manner. Danny Orozco, the IH coordinator and a player member praised the host hospitality, which was not lost even amidst the intense and heated encounters. In the first set, the victors’ top pair Felix Pacleb and Ben Banal edged Noel Bautista and Roy Jaen, a C1 standout, 8-6. In the next tiff, IH top bet Romy Facal battled Oscar Adalla in a match fought mainly from the baseline. The fomer employing a more consistent variety of backhand and forehand returns brought his team back to contention with an 8-2 drub out of his opponent.
In the other singles match, KKESH’s assistant captain Moises Balenton, who has yet to lose a set in the tournament, faced the opposing team’s assistant captain Jun Dizon. The latter quickly went ahead 4-0 but the left-handed Balenton settled down and with accurate ball placements, began to dictate the tempo of the game and won the match 8-6. The next two sets were just as intense as IH chased its chance of a runner-up finish.
But the eventual champion dented their hopes. Their tandem of Sapon and Ed Diesta scraped an important tiebreak victory 8-7 against John Umawing and Ray Soriano, while the combination of Banal and Sapon took the better of Bautista and Orozco 8-3 to clinch the match KKESH favour.
With the losers captain Bobby Deocareza not seen in action, this loss has momentarily disrupted their its bid for a runner-up finish, as it now trails King Khalid University Hospital, and must win its last match against SFH to gain a tie for second place. Other members of the champion team were Robert Chau and Dennis Pangilinan who are now both away on vacation to Philippines.
In the B1 final action that took place at the Oasis Residential compound courts, SFH led by their captain and coordinator Herman Honrado, garnered the champion’s trophy by defeating King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH) in an impressive fashion. Before the match, the winners were already assured of first place finish by virtue of a 4-win one-loss record, while the losers captained by Romy Maborang had just broken out of a slump winning two consecutive matches. The victorious side was impressive in holding off KFSH, winning four of the five regulation matches. Their lone loss was inflicted by KFSH’s top singles player Ernie Serrano on veteran Ely Sabello. The latter lost 3-8.
In winning his match, Serrano captured the best singles player award here and this will be presented at a separate prize distribution ceremony which is being planned for by the organizers. SFH victory by 35-29 underscored its dominance of the second toughest category in HITTT tennis gala. Other members of the champion team were assistant captain Noli Mendoza who is also HITTT technical committee chairman, Edwin Ranosa, Rene Soriano, Manny Albes and Camar Pancho.
KKIAH, mentored by Ric Camara, secured runner-up honors, as its doubles bet Mahmoud Sindab and Jess Malto appeared headed towards grabbing the best doubles award. Other members of the KKIAH side were Willie Tecson, Randy Cepe and Joe Carido.
The HITTT 2000 tournament is being sponsored by Power Horse Energy Drink, Coca-Cola, Sarawat Superstore, Anseri Cargo and Al Hakbani Establishment.