Riyadh – It’s definitely ‘no time for losers’ for Nueva Ecija as the team is currently in a state of jubilation for bagging the championship crown in the recently concluded Sinag Pinoy Cup 2007 held at the Al-Yamamah Hotel Tennis Courts here.
The road to victory was an easy one for Nueva Ecija. As the tournament’s perennial leader, the championship crown was already sealed in their favor after their penultimate game against Manila when they enjoyed a commanding lead of 27 points against their closest rival, by that time, an impossible feat for any team to beat.
It was a different story for the rest of the other nine competing teams. With a slim margin of set-point difference from each other, seven teams had equal chances making it to the final three (3) runners-up, enough reason for anticipated closed and heated fights among them. In the end, Bulacan showed their superiority over the rest when they won an exciting neck to neck battle against Pampanga (43-38) (3-3). That remarkable achievement enabled Bulacan secured the first runner-up trophy with 288-26 points, a two set-point advantage over closest rival Malolos. Determined not to be left behind, Team Malolos gave their best when they humbly crushed Manila 45-32 (4-2) enough to bring home the second runner-up honors with a total of 286-26 points. Batangas accumulated 283-22 points, enough for them grabbed the third runner-up honors, despite losing their final game to Manila (39-44) (1-5). Pampanga almost made it to the magic 4 with a slim 3-point deficit against Batangas team.
Most of the tournament’s Best Player awardees on different categories literally fought their way until the end since there were no clear winners before the last games. B1 Best Player Alfred Pastolero lost his 6th game but regained composure when he, together with partner Abdulaziz Manzano, outclassed the equally fearsome duo of Jojo Ramirez and Mike Reyes (8-7). Zali Tadina, B2 Best Player, made it when top seeded Raffy Uy and Jojo Ramirez lost their respective games. In B6 category, Bernie Ustani bravely battled the number 1 ranked Angel Aniag, trailing 2-6 before leveling the match at 6-6 and worked hard to upset Aniag in an exciting tiebreaker 8-7.
Another surprise winner, Bernie Vidal, made it when all the other three main contenders lost in their final games. Early favorite tandem of Rey Orfano and Tony Fernandez simply surrendered to the onslaught of Vidal and Ver Rubio, 7-8. Jojo Ingles, who had the every chance snatch the B8 Best Player award, simply vanished into thin air when his game collapsed in the final rounds losing at 6-8. Another hopeful, Allan Bayos who teamed up with Romy Guevarra, lost to consistent Rey Atienza and Max Lopez 6-8.
In celebration of the 109th Philippines Independence day, Pinoy Netters Club 102 organized SINAG PINOY CUP 2007 tournament with Albin Guinto at the helm. SINAG PINOY is an allusion to the ten provinces/cities that fought hard against imperial Spain to regain the nation’s independence. This is also where the ten participating teams got its name.
Awarding of trophies is set today, Friday, 27 July 2007.
