May 22, 2004 Eastpoint Green Simei -
The Triple Header Finals of the Ronald's Cup Series IV was a huge success. This is the first time that all the finals were held on the same venue and the same time on three adjoining courts, thanks to Alvin Guirey & Michael Castro for booking the courts. It was a real delight especially to the crowd seeing all this talented players display their skills in just a turn of the neck..., except for the umpires :<.
The finalists arrived early, some are looking very fresh and relaxed while some are quite not, maybe nervous or just really into the game. The crowds too came in on time and the attendace was good. Ronald's Cup players, friends & their families were there. Our official photographer Bong Enriquez was there taking photos in the best angles possible. Our commissioner Ronald Torres and his wife Rica Torres arrived together with our Coordinator Freddie Aoanan. The overall outcome of the Series IV finals was great and the committee is inspired by it and is looking towards having the same set-up in the succeeding Ronald's Cup Series finals.
First up is the Ladies Finals between Joy Curva and Pearl Ballarta. This is a rematch of the FTC Ladies Finals last month where Joy got the upper hand and lifted her first career title trophy. That defeat might still be fresh to Pearl's mind but this is another tournament, the Ronald's Cup, it could be her chance to turn the table around. They were assigned to play at the grass court, a surface they didn't grow up with where the ball skids in uncontrolled manner. It's just a matter of who can adjust first, and Pearl it was. Pearl found her rhythm early and took the first set by storm conceding only 1 game to Joy. Her timing to the ball were near perfect, hitting the ball solidly on both wings. During that time, Joy is still looking for that adjustment to her game. She is bothered by the varying speed of the bouncing ball and is having a hard time keeping up with the rally. It was just a let down to her game and a big blow to her confidence. But the FTC Ladies champ won't go down without a fight. She started the 2nd set much more like she wanted. She is playing more like a champion at the start of the second set and she managed to drain down Pearl on some lenghty rallies and made Pearl really work hard for the points. But Pearl continues to play the way she started, refusing to give up on key moments. The 2nd set ultimately went down to the wire, the score is even 5-5. But the day belong to Pearl, she kept her focus all the way to the last point and she took the last 2 games using her rock solid forehand. The final score 6-1 7-5, the first career title victory for Pearl. She will move up to No.3 at the ranking while Joy maintains her position at No.5. Amii Hernandez on the other hand, the Series IV 2nd-Runner-up has accumulated points enough to dislodge Series III Champ Amica Lumanog in the top spot.
Court No. 1 is where the clash between Allan Quiaoit and Mader Maderazo is being played. It is a hardcourt. This is the first meeting of the two and it was a real battle. The crowd felt the intensity of the match, both are really concentrated on what they are doing inside the court. No sign of nerves, just plain determination. Who isn't when you are playing for the first Ronald's Cup Class B Championship. Mader was off to a good start with a deep first serve and a heavy forehand giving an early pressure to Allan. Allan, feeling the weight of that forehand, is forced to play the defensive. But Allan has an amazing ball control, that control keeps him with the rally and giving Mader another ball to hit. The match was going pretty well with Mader in front at 4-2 in the first set when the lights faulted, a partial black out was experienced in Court 1. The match was then suspended for about 20 minutes due to darkness. They came back to the court completely intact after that break, their concentation was not affected by the incident. Mader keeps the pressure going and the aggression paid off giving him the 1st set at 6-3. Allan came back in the 2nd set counterpunching every shot and started to put a weight on his shot. He plays more agrressive than the 1st set and show that he is capable of something more than what he displayed in the 1st set. His backhand is more steady and he can set up a point and go with his shot. The momentum is with Allan and he leads the 2nd set when the lights double faulted that caused another minutes of delay.... Then again they came back ... The force continues to be with Allan when they resumed and that he took the 2nd set at 6-2. The final set was decided to be a race to 7 points tie break as the remaining time is not enough to complete a normal set. Mader feels the pressure at this point. He has a problem in keeping the ball inside and he's down 0-3 immediately. He managed to catch up slowly, he served an almost ace to close the gap at 4-5. But another unforced error by Mader gives Allan 3 championship point. Allan did not waste any time when he drive a crosscourt forehand winner to seal his victory. The final score, 3-6 6-2 7-4 to Allan. Allan will enter the top 10 when the new ranking is released, taking No.9 spot. Mader is just two places below at No. 11.
Center Court, The Mens Class A Final between Rex Bonicillo and Michael Castro. Also their 1st meeting and it was a classic encounter. Mike served first and he held it confidently except at one point where he lost his balance and tumbled to the ground. That say it all, the tension and the excitement of the match. Rex too has no trouble closing his first service game. Both were playing really well and their exchanges were superb. The first break point came up in the 5th game when Rex forcibly drew errors from Mike. Mike was down 15-40 but he saved them and still hold his serve with a help from Rex who blew the chance away with consecutive errors. Following that, Mike responded with a drive of his signature forehand for a winner and an overhead smash to get the first real break and lead the 1st set at 4-2. Both traded breaks in the next couple of games. Mike is still on the lead at 5-3. Mike served out the set with a forehand winner and a soft volley that caught Rex flatfooted. The 2nd set started with another break for Mike using his slice backhand that Rex returned to the net. The crowd is sensing an easy victory for Mike at this point. He continues to play aggresively with his tremendous shot making and Rex stood up to the challenge. Rex began to hit the ball with more authority and pushed Mike's service game to deuce and finally got the break back. Rex is going for his shot and continues to play offensively to hold his serve. He shifted the pressure to Mike and break Mike's serve again at love to lead 3-1 in the 2nd set. Rex managed to control the pace of the rally and keep Mike away from his comfort zone with a mix of shots from soft volley, sharp forehand and a lob with perfect accuracy. Rex closed out the 2nd set when Mike hit a service return wide. 2nd set to Rex 6-3. The match was dead even at a set all and the crowd has no clue who will win. Both were producing their best tennis so far. But the match faces the same dilemma as the Class B finals, the time is not enough. Our commissioner conferenced the players and they all agreed to play the deciding set to a race to 4 games format. The pressure is becoming more difficult to handle. Mike started well closing his service game with forehand down the line winner. Then he hit some amazing service return winners to break Rex and lead to 2-0. Rex looks exhausted after that second set show and his serve is becoming vulnerable. Mike is serving for the 3rd game but he looks in pain and his serve barely crosses the net. He was down 0-30 and he was forced to take an injury timeout when his right arm get numb and a his leg starts to cramp. Retiring was never an option for him because he knew he is very close to the victory. He continued his service game and was pushed to 5 deuces before he survived it and now only a game away to the title. Rex served to stay in the match hoping to get back but missed his shots and another soft volley from Mike give him 3 championship points. He only need one of them as Rex hit a forehand that sailed long on the first match point. The final score, 6-3 3-6 4-0. Mike will overtake Rex in the Ranking going up to No. 3 spot while Rex will move to No. 4.