STA to hold 2nd Verizon Cup

The Saipan Tennis Association will hold the 2nd Verizon Cup on month’s end at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

STA president Roy Pangelinan announced the staging of the tennis tournament yesterday during a news briefing at Verizon’s main office in Chalan Laulau.

He said the association expects the 2nd Verizon Cup to be a complete success with over 100 players participating. He also said that in behalf of STA’s officers and members he would like to thank the telecommunications company for again agreeing to sponsor the event.

“We felt bad that we were not able to stage the Verizon Cup last year but we are back bigger and better in 2004. Verizon has always been a great partner and I would like to extend my gratitude to the company for giving us some $3,000 in cash and in-kind donation for this tournament,” said Pangelinan.

No less than Verizon’s marketing manager Russ Quinn was on hand during the news briefing to affirm the company’s commitment to tennis and sports development on the island in general.

“Verizon has always been a big supporter of sports on island. We always liked the idea of people and organizations taking advantage of Saipan’s good weather to stage sports events like this. It’s also always nice to know that Verizon will be spending money and donating stuff to an organization as well run as STA,” he said.

Verizon has committed $1,000 in cash and about $2,000 worth of cellular phones, phone cards, t-shirts, caps, and other merchandize to STA.

The Verizon Cup will kick off on July 28 with doubles competition in the men’s open, men’s 5.0, men’s 4.5, men’s 4.0, men’s 3.0, men’s 40-and-over, women’s open, women’s 4.0, and women’s 3.0.

Singles and mixed doubles get underway a week later on Aug. 4 with categories in the men’s 5.0, men’s 4.0, men’s 3.0, women’s 4.0, women’s 3.0, women’s 2.0, mixed doubles 5.0, mixed doubles 4.0, and mixed doubles 3.0.

Players could only sign up for a maximum of two divisions per week. Entry fee is $8 for members and $15 for non-members. Draw date for the doubles competition is on July 23, while the draw for the singles and mixed doubles is set on July 30. All drawings will be held at the AMP clubhouse at 6pm and will be posted on the bulletin board.

For more information on the 2nd Verizon Cup please call Pangelinan at 256-7769, Nelia Luna at 288-5151/287-0859, Agnes Salazar at 287-0858, Richard Asuncion at 287-0856, Babu Malayil at 286-9745, or Lope Padilla at 286-9733. Those interested can also e-mail STA at saipan_tennis@yahoo.com.