Top seed Sony/Adel wins Mixed Doubles Title
November 29,2004
Sony De Los Santos & Adelaida Lazaro conquered their archrival Julito Macapagal & Milo Magtaas, 2-6 6-4 6-2 in the finals to bring home the Mixed Doubles Title.
A standout pair in the field, they were 7 out of 7 before the finals and now... 8 out of 8. That's just a solid record from a solid couple with such a solid tennis game. You'll see more from them in the seasons to come.
The Match:
Both teams looks unsettled at the start of the match as free points are flowing from both camps and holding of serve is difficult. Not until Milo's serve that it was held and she held it confidently at love to take the lead at 3-1.
Both teams are mixing up well with lobs and volleys but errors are coming out from Sony/Adel. In just 20 minutes, they are 2-5 down and to face Milo's serve to stay in the set. After few strokes and some exciting rallies, Julito/Milo was up 3 set point when Lito put away a volley for a winner. Sony/Adel conceded the 1st set after Sony dump a smash to the net on the next point.
It seems like the rythm is out and the confidence is not there for the top seed. The spectators are sensing an upset and Julito/Milo's revenge is half-way accomplished.
It was a breezy and humid evening as the rain has just stopped but with the heat and the intensity of both team, the court has dried up in no time.
The 2nd set has started and the outlook of the pair Sony/Adel was different. They seemed to have regrouped and employed another game plan. Sony is returning the ball heavier with a marvelous forehand and Adel is attacking at the net at every opportunity. They whacked and volley very effectively forcing an error from Julito/Milo and at times they were left scrambling. The plan worked well for them and they took the opening 4 games of the 2nd set. The revitalized team has made Julito/Milo clueless on what to do next. A good chance to move 5-0 up, the roll was abruptly stopped when Sony committed double fault one after another on his service game to give Julito/Milo their 1st game of the set. Sony's disappointment on his service game was well received by the other team and they took it to their advantage. Julito/Milo came back with some excellent serving from Milo and good volleys from Lito to take next 3 games and level the set at 4-4. It looks like the tide has turned once again to Julito/Milo's favor. Just when they thought they have withered the team... Sony/Adel came back firing once again with heavy hitting and some amazing retrieving from Sony. They then took the next 2 games to bring the match to a decider.
Sony/Adel started the 3rd set where they left off. They continue the barrage and Julito/Milo has become more and more vulnerable at each point. They can't keep up the level of game they needed to keep up with their opponent. Sony/Adel jumped to a quick 5-2 lead with a series of overhead smashes from Sony and some sharp serving from Adel. Julito/Milo's unforced error is also piling up. After an hour and 25 minutes, Julito/Milo face the inevitable match point. Milo tries to return a smash from Sony to save it but the ball sailed long and match was over.
After the match, the group proceeded to the Poolside BBQ Pit for dinner and the awarding ceremony. Thanks to our main sponsor and official photographer Bong Enriquez. To Pearl, Aya, Edil, Dex & Bong for the food. To our very lovable host Gene Casuncad. Thanks to our Bayshore buddies for providing the venue, Pearl, Ban, Wacks, Jepoy. To our line judges and umpires, Edil, Rex, Freddie, Bing, Maynard, Rene, Jepoy, Dex, Mader. To the guys who mopped the soaked court, Rex, Freddie, Gary and Tito. To Rica Torres, Marie Alimboyao, Aya De Los Reyes, Pearl Ballarta and the rest who helped in preparing the delicious BBQs.
Thanks to everyone who attended the finals and to all who participated and supported the Bong's Double's Cup.
Before the parting shot, thanks to the free flowing beer courtesy of our sponsor Bong Enriquez... stay tuned for the photos. And ofcourse, thanks to our commissioner Ronald Torres for the entire arrangement. Congratulations to all the winners! See you all next year for the Ronald's Cup Series VI!
Mader/Rene beats Ernie/Edzel to claim Class B/C Title
November 27,2004
Predicted by many as the team to dominate in their class, the team of Mader/Rene did just that to capture the Class B/C title. They beat the team of Ernie/Edzel, 6-4 6-2 in the finals last Saturday @ Bayshore Park.
The Match:
The match is a picture of a typical doubles game. Most of the points they played has ended at the net with some impressive volleys and overhead winners. The baseline exchanges are also superb.
The 1st set was relatively even as both team has held serve and split the first 8 games to 4 and 4. But looking more tight and tense, the team of Ernie/Edzel lost 2 consecutive crucial games to give the first set to their opponent.
Ernie/Edzel took an early lead in the second set with a break on Mader's serve to move 2-1 up. But Ernie/Edzel failed to consolidate the break when Mader/Rene pounded Edzel's serve to take the break back. The break proves to be fatal to Ernie/Edzel as Mader/Rene stepped-up and surged to a 3 game sweep to lead 5-2 in the set. With 1 game away from defeat, Ernie tries to save the match on his serve but a forehand down-the-line service return winner by Mader set up an immediate match point against them. Edzel was able to block a passing shot from Rene on the next point to save the match point. But another good smash from Rene forced an error from Ernie to set up their second match point. Edzel was able to block the passing shot again but this time it went far out and the match was over.
November 22,2004
It was a mixed fortune for the top qualifiers for Class A/B & B/C in the semifinals. Meanwhile, the Mixed Doubles finalist has been decided.
DOUBLES A/B:
The finals for Class A/B will feature the top qualifiers from the round robin. Securing the first spot in the finals is the team of Mike/Mader, the top qualifier in Squad A. They beat the team of Rico/Chito, 6-3 6-3 in the first semifinal last Saturday @ Bayshore Park. A team of power and coordination, Mike/Mader showed the way out as they exercised their authority from the net to the back of the court. They managed to restrain Rico/Chito from playing the game that brought them to the semis.
Their opponent in the finals is the team of Tito/Gary, the top qualifier in Squad B. They beat the team of Mike/Bing, 6-4 6-2 in their semifinal match last Sunday @ Carissa Park. It was a close contest at the beginning but as the match progressed, Tito/Gary's hard punch from the baseline and a quick slap from the net was too much to handle. This formidable team has never lost a set on their trip to the finals.
DOUBLES B/C:
The finals for Class B/C will not feature the top qualifiers from the round robin. Both top seeds were upset in their semifinal match. Joey/Elmer, the top qualifier in Squad B was beaten by Ernie/Edzel, 7-6(9-7) 7-6(15-13). It was a straight set victory but the scoreline sums up all the pressure and hardwork these 2 teams has to put up to get through to the finals. The 28 points 2nd set tie-break goes to the Ronald's Cup history book as the longest tie-break ever played.
Ernie/Edzel's opponent in the finals is the team of Mader/Rene, who also upset Franklin/Eric, the top qualifier in Squad A. A team of consistency, Mader/Rene also won in straight set, 6-3 6-3 but in a lesser drama. Speaking of consistency, Mader will also be featured in Class A/B finals.
MIXED DOUBLES:
The team of Sony/Adel has finished the race as the top qualifier. They completed and won all their 7 matches. The challenge will come from Julito/Milo, who won 6 of their 7 matches. They lost to Sony/Adel in the round robin, 6-3 7-5. Could the revenge be just be around the finals?. Completing the top four is the team of Ban/Pearl, 3rd place with 3-3 win/loss record and Bing/Mylene, 4th place with 2-3 win/loss record. Both team will be honored as 2nd Runner-Up.
November 19,2004
After 7 weeks of round-robin play, here are the fittest teams who survived the rigorous challenge of the Bong's Doubles Open. The teams will be competing in the semifinals and they are assured of at least a trophy.
DOUBLES A/B:
The newcomer team of Tito Malinao & Gary Alimboyao will take on Mike Cenina & Bing De Los Reyes. Both teams were undefeated in their respective squad but the team of Mike/Bing were placed 2nd in their squad because of 1 unplayed match.
The other semifinal is a face up between the team of Mike Castro & Mader Maderazo and the team of Rico Pelaez and Chito Garcia. Despite losing 1 match, Mike/Mader is the top qualifier in their squad by the accumulated ranking points. Rico/Chito's chances has been on the edge but by sweeping their last 2 matches they move on to the semis.
DOUBLES B/C:
The team of Joey Salamante & Elmer Garan against the team of Ernie Sabingan & Edzel Ordonez will compete in top half of the draw. Both teams are first-timer in the tournament. Joey/Elmer team is 6-0 win-loss record in the round robin play. The team of Ernie/Edzel lost for the first time in their last round robin match.
Franklin de Belen & Eric Gutierrez team will meet the team of Mader Maderazo/Rene Arconcil in the bottom half of the draw. Both teams owns a 5-1 win-loss record in the round robin. Mader is also a qualifier in the Doubles A/B semis.