Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 27, 2001 - In the top flight singles
semifinals played last Friday at the King Fahad National Guard Hospital (KFNGH), Carmen
Dela Rosa and Helen Simolde won over their respective rivals Binky De Leon and Helen
Flores to reach the Class-A singles final.
Dela Rosa defeated third seed Binky De Leon of KFNGH in straight sets 6-3, 6-1. The losing
opponent could not find any opening against the former national player in the Philippines
as the eventual victor showed the weekend crowd the glimpses of the past.
Over at the King Faisal Specialist
hospital & Research Center (KFSH & RC), second seed Simolde, the defending
champion, started tentatively against the fourth seed Flores of King Khaled Eye Specialist
Hospital (KKESH). The latter matched the forehand accuracy of Simolde with accurate
returns, as score remained close until the seventh game of the first set when Simolde
found her mark to win three games and claimed the first set 6-3. In the second set, Flores
took command early on but could not hold on to her lead as Simolde played more
aggressively and ventured more often inside. The latter took the second set 6-4, thus
winning the match and setting the final match against the top seed Rosa.
In Doubles A, top seeds Simolde and Nelda Flauta went through a close and exciting match
against Security Forces Vivienne Sabello and Cecille Bago. The former pair won in straight
sets 6-4, 6-3 to gain a semifinal berth. They now meet in the semi the duo of Flores and
Cathy Malayas of KFSH who defeated in the earlier round KFNGH bets Emmie Rodriguez and Jo
Alimpuangon. At the bottom half of the draw, third seed Leon and nurse May Dujale overcame
the challenge of the pair of Betsy Costumbrado of KFSH and LITT vice chairman Marivic
Tuquiero, winning 7-6 (7-3), 6-3. They will now meet the tandem of hard-hitting Adel Lopez
and Heidi Agustin both from Security Forces Hospital (SFH) in the other semifinal.
Costumbrado beat Joy Siongco of SHF after a tense three sets match with
the scores of 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 in Class-B singles. She next meets in the semis, Bernadette
Flores of King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH). The latter eased into the last four when
Jubie Estero of KKESH defaulted her match. At the bottom half of the draw, Cel Arrastia of
KFSH booked her entry into the last four with straight sets 6-3, 6-3 victory over Mel
Rabago of KFNGH. Her opponent will be Claire Dumaliang of KFNGH who won her encounter
against Sultana Al Saleh by 6-0, 6-1.
In the doubles of the same category, Agustin and partner Mimi Ardenio, both of SFH, were a
surprise yet again in the quarterfinals round as they defeated the top seeds Jo
Alimpuangon and Remy Viado. They now take on in the semis the tandem of Tess Ompoc and
Julie Bagasala also from KFNGH and winner against Jean Borjal and Cel Arrastia. Here, the
bottom half of the draw saw the surprising run of British Catherine Garret and French Ann
Meihle as they won again, beating this time in the last eight seeded Joy Siongco and Joyce
Valdez in straight sets 6-1, 7-5. Tuquiero and LITT coordinator Fanny Minas, both of SFH,
advanced to the last four with a hard earned win by 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 over the gritty pair of
Claire Dumaliang and Vicky Alvarez.
A new comer, Mehlot Baltazar thrilled the supporters at the Lockheed compound when she
overcame a strong challenge from Minas, winning by 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 in Class-C1 singles.
Baltazar earned the right to play in the semi against Garret, an upset victor over top
seed Geline Suarez. At the lower bracket, youthful Jelvise Kelly proved more consistent
when she upended Nitz Fernandez of KKESH by 7-5, 5-7, 6-2. Kelly next faces in the semis
LITT PRO Babes Vasquez of KFSH, winner in also three sets 4-6,6-3,6-1 against Joan Bunda
of RKH.
In Class-C1 doubles encounters, Flores and Baltazar of KKUH showed why they are seeded
number one as they set aside the fighting pair of Rose Santos and Gemma Sahibil of KFSH.
At the lower bracket, Vasquez and Minas shook off the challenge of another LITT
coordinator, Carmen Santos and Mel Rabago, both of KFNGH. They won 6-7 (3-7), 6-2, 6-2.
Of the singles action in Class-C2, top seed Jenet Pacleb of KKESH swept past tough
challenger Sally Clemente of Dallah hospital by 6-3, 6-0. Now she faces another newcomer,
a fourteen years old Maica Quilacio who drubbed Rowena Paglinawan of KFNGH 7-5, 6-0. Of
the lower bracket, Sol Marasigan of KFSH surprised Beth Quilacio with her fine straight
sets victory 6-3, 6-3. She takes on Nanette Maynes also of KFSH in the semi. The latter
set aside Susan Gatchalian of KFNGH after a tough battle by 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5).
In Class-C2 doubles, Quilacio sisters struggled to beat the pair of Jenny Viloria and
Letty Dinio of KFNGH 7-5, 6-4. They take on in the semi Camarse and Marasigan. On the
other side, Jeth Gumaru teamed up with Susan Sangala to eliminate Amor Robles and Au
Gutierrez 6-4, 6-3. They face Clemente and Perla Morales in the other semifinal clash.
The tournament is sponsored by Abuljadayel Beverages, Inc, maker of BISON Energy Drink.
Other co-sponsors include Anseri Cargo Services and SARAWAT Superstore. The Riyadh Team
Tennis League (RTTL) Chairman Farouk El-Laithy acts as an advisor.
The fourth LITT theme is Discipline and Excellence through the Sports of Tennis. The
executive committee managing the show is headed by M. Lector. Other officers of the
committee are J. Estero, Vice-Chairperson, External; M. Tuquiero, Vice-Chairperson,
Internal; A. Gutierrez, Secretary-General; H. Simolde, Treasurer; E. Rodriguez, Auditor;
A.Robles, B.Vasquez, PROs and N. Eugenio, Technical Committee Chairman.
