Singles play gets going at CIC Tennis Classic

The Century Insurance Co. Tennis Classic finally entered its singles phase Saturday after Typhoon Tingting wreaked havoc on organizer FILATA’s scheduling a week ago.

Eight matches were played on the long-delayed first day of singles competition.

Opening day winners included Hector Benitez, Manny Jardinero, Gary Ramsey, and Babu Malayil in the men’s 3.0, and Eric Mahinay, Chuck Sayon, Art Lopez, and Noel Manalang in the men’s 4.0.

Benitez overcame youth netter Vivian Lee 6-0, 6-3, while Jardinero defused Roy Banados’ speed with close to perfect placing 6-4, 6-0. Ramsey took out former FILATA president and now California resident Roel Payumo 6-4, 6-2 and Malayil stopped Elemen Solomon dead on his tracks 6-2, 6-4.

Mahinay exhausted Fil-Taga Golfer of the Year Nestor Siruelo 6-3, 4-4 (retired) and Sayon trumped Sathayan 6-3, 6-0. Lopez outplayed Roger De Villa 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 and Manalang ousted Francis Mangsat in another three-set beauty.

Nine other singles matches got underway Sunday in the men’s 4.0, 3.0, 4.5, and 5.0 divisions.

Youth netter Ralph Buenaventura schooled Sayon in the men’s open 6-1, 6-1, while the lone 4.5 match-up saw Elmer Guzman edge Bong Gamab in three sets 6-3, 0-6, 6-3.

Acton in the men’s 4.0 had Dodong Espanola beat Robert Coracero 6-3, 6-3 and Sayon getting a walkover win against Mel Pila. John Kintaro also is safely into the second round after defeating Manalang 6-3, 6-2. Joining him there are Tony Santos and Hector Gutierrez who drubbed Mahinay (3-6, 6-3, 6-1) and Jaime Hagos (6-3, 6-3), respectively.

Rio Arriola and Romy Espeleta also won their first round assignments in the men’s 3.0. Arriola, the older brother of youth champion Mayuko, scored an exciting 4-6, 6-3, 6-5 (retired) win over Ramon Angeles, while Espeleta was a 6-3, 6-4 winner over Sathayan.

While matches in the singles events started Saturday, doubles play finally wrapped up over the weekend.

Taking the title in the men’s open was the pair of Tim Quan and Daniel Son, who overwhelmed Boyet Minor and Elmer Guzman 6-3, 7-5 Friday.

Also coming home with the first place trophy in the 4.5 division are Nicolas Son and Ralph Buenaventura. The two beat Minor and Alex Martin for the championship 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3 also last Friday.

The men’s 4.0 championship belongs to Gerald Narciso and Richard Asuncion after the duo defeated Jorge Olanda and Edwin Maratas 6-3, 7-5 on Sunday.

Beltau and Benitez also made it all the way Sunday, raising the men’s 3.0 flag after a 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 victory over Edwin Quismundo and Masahiro Tanaka.

Kazumi Imai and Young Son captured the women’s open title Sunday following their 6-3, 7-5 win over baseliners Joy Minor and Sally Cacdac.