Pangelinan and Buenaventura headline doubles

Filipino-American Tennis Association president Eli Buenaventura and Saipan Tennis Association president Roy Pangelinan are the top seeds in the open division of the 2004 Century Insurance Co. Tennis Classic, which kicks off tonight at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

The team of Buenaventura and Pangelinan was named the No. 1 seed in the division in the tournament draw released yesterday by tournament organizer FILATA.

Expected to provide the two presidents stiff challenge is the tandem of Daniel Son and Tim Quan, the No. 2 seeded team. Son is a former 18-and-under boys champion of the CNMI, while Quan finished second in the same division in the North Pacific Qualifying Tennis Tournament held last week on Saipan.

Holding court in the men’s 4.5 doubles, meanwhile, is the duo of Ganover Rettin and Martin Igitol. On the other side of the draw is the second-seeded team of Ronnie Lacbayo and Elmer Guzman.

Top men’s 4.0 players Jorge Olanda and Edwin Maratas, meanwhile, predictably grabbed the No. 1 seed in the division. They will be tested by the pair of Gerald Narciso and Richard Asuncion, who are seeded second in the men’s 4.0.

Favorites to win the men’s 3.0 crown are Beltau Toz and Hector Benitez, who were made the top seeds. Expected to give them a tough fight are the No. 2 tandem of Manny Jardinero and Romy Sotto.

On the women’s side, top-flight lady netters Kazumi Imai and Young Son are the top seeds in the open division. Hoping to give them competition is the pair of Sally Cacdac and Joy Minor, two former FILATA first ladies.

The team of Rose Pederson and Gina Lopez hold the No. 1 seed in the women’s 3.0. Taking the No. 2 spot are Arlene Osma and Mina Lopez, two up-and-coming players.

All doubles matches will be played at the AMP tennis courts.

The doubles events will run from tonight to Sunday, June 27. Singles events, meanwhile, will be played next week from July 2 to 5.

A total of seven singles events are slated. Men can enter in the singles open, 4.5, 4.0, 3.0, and 2.0 divisions, while women could play in the singles 4.0 and 3.0.

According to FILATA more than 100 players have already signed up to play in both the doubles and singles events.

For more information on the CIC Tennis Classic, please call Joy Minor at 323-3081 or Manny Po at 235-3897.