By Jun Atienza
JEDDAH — The second week of team tennis action at the Trio-Ranch Country Club saw ALJ-Tropapips, Hidada and JRTC-Ewaton lead their respective Groups 1, 2, and 4 in Category C, with 3 wins. In Group 2, the last slot is a toss-up between SCTC and newcomer Bok’s team, both with a 0-3 win-loss record and will meet next week to advance to the knockout round of 16.
Reem Riviera Beach Resort, powered by Uricane Tennis Club, continued its unbeaten run in the Lower Mix Category, posting 3-to-1-set win against erstwhile leader SGS Tennis Racquet Club and grabbed the solo lead in this category. JRTC-Webb and SGS Tennis Racquet Club registered 3-1 win/loss record and remain in contention for the top spot, while SPTC and SOFTC may have to pit against each other for the last slot in the semis.
In Category B2, JRTC-Raj kept its winning streak after blasting Uricane 3-to-1 set with 3-0 win/loss record. The tandems of Tonji Pumbaya/Amerly Pacasum and Keem Pangandaman/Farouk Salacop posted identical scores of 8-1 against their respective opponents, while Mike Marohombsar/Raj Pumbaya scored 8-6 to seal the win. The pair of Podin Dianalan/Roel Manarang took the lone set 8-4 for Uricane.
The Ladies Division started in full swing with Jeddah International School (JIS) and Saudia City Tennis Clubs clobbering their respective opponents in straight sets. In the first match of the Lower Mix (B2/C combination), JIS thumped in straight sets (3-0) newcomer Winter Spinner, composed mainly of tennis beginners, while in the Higher Mix (B1/B2 combination), JIS again blanked (3-0) its hastily-formed opponent, ASTEC Lady Tennisters.
The ongoing tournament is progressing in full swing with hectic action at four tennis courts daily. This is the 8th consecutive year that AlBaik Food Express has partnered with Astec (Association of Tennis Clubs in Jeddah) in promoting team spirit and camaraderie in sport, with perennial co-sponsors Deltaz Marketing, Sky Freight Forwarders, Sports Track and Qatar Airways. The tournament is expected to conclude by Nov. 5.
