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Riyadh Community

SIMOLDE, FLORES, GARRET & PACLEB WIN LITT TENNIS TOP SINGLES HONORS
By Parwaiz Imam

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 20, 2001 – Second seed and defending champion Helen Simolde, third seed Bernadette Flores, unseeded Catherine Garret and the top seed Janet Pacleb claimed the top honors of Class-A, Class-B, Class-C1 and Class-C2 singles respectively in the recently concluded fourth Ladies International Tennis Tournament (LITT) at the King Fahad National Guard hospital (KFNGH) social center.
In Class-A, Simolde of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre emerged victorious against the top seed and popular Carmen Dela Rosa. Intensity marked both players as they traded powerful and accurate shots to the delight of the crowd. The first set went to a tiebreak which Rosa dominated, winning 7-0. The victor however, took the second set by 6-3. In the decider, Simolde took an early lead of 2-0 but her opponent kept the game close. She battled Simolde’s forehand accuracy and power with her accurate long ball placements. In the end, it was the eventual champion, capping the match 6-3 with a down the line forehand winner.
Flores of King Khalid University hospital took on a surprise finalist Claire Dumaliang of KFNGH for the Class-B crown. The latter supported by the home fans and Flores, the category C1 champion of the last tournament, played patiently from the baseline, returning shots that lasted into long rallies. The new champion showed better stamina, outlasting the rival in the thrilling tie by 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.
Of the Class-C1 final, British Garret met fourth seed Jelvise Kelly of Riyadh Military in another heady confrontation. The former impressed the spectators with a variety of shots, including drop shots and overhead smashes while Kelly defended well. Garret, in the second set, squandered a big lead to allow her opponent get back into the match. However, on the tenth game of the set, the new queen finally got the victory when on the final point, her weak return nicked and crossed the net and she won 6-3, 6-4.
The showdown for the Class-C2 final was also thrilling. Top seed Pacleb of King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital finished her fine run to the finals with a huge two-hour struggle against fellow companion Nanette Maynes of King Faisal Specialist Hospital. Pacleb showed here opponent excellent fundamental tennis skills while Maynes displayed determination and consistency in their long rallies. The champion took the first set after a see saw battle 7-6 (7-4), however, her rival clawed back by taking the second set 6-3. In the final set, the eventual champion won 6-3.
Of the doubles, the Class-A title went to Helen Flores and Cathy Malayas. They defeated Adel Lopez and Heidi Agustin 6-3, 6-4. The pair of Ann Meihle and Garret claimed the Class-B championship by beating Tess Ompoc and Julie Bagasala 3-6, 6-0, 6-2. Baltazar combined well with Flores to win the Class-C1 title by 6-1, 6-2. Their victim was Babes Vasquez and Fanny Minas. The Class-C2 championship trophy went to Jeth Gumaru and Susan Sangala who defeated Beth Quilacio and Maica Quilacio 6-2, 6-3.
The color awarding took place immediately after the last encounter where trophies and valuable prizes were given to the deserving winners. The major sponsor of the event, Abuljadayel Beverages Inc. maker of Bison Energy Drink, provided the trophies and boosted the valuable prizes. Anseri Cargo Services, Coca Cola and Sarawat Superstore also supported the fourth LITT gala well. The sponsors and the KFNGH social club, which hosted the ceremony were honored and given recognition by the tournament’s executive committee and the participants. The sponsors for their part praised the organizing and technical committee and the participants for the well-organized and successful conclusion of the event. LITT also thanked advisor Farouk El Laithy, the chairman of the Riyadh Team Tennis League.
The executive committee, which managed the show played on the theme, "Discipline and Excellence through the sports of tennis", was composed of chairman M. Lector; 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.