Loyola leads Toyota singles champions

Fighting off exhaustion the entire match, veteran Peter Loyola managed to muster just enough juice to get by youth standout Ji Hoon Heo in the men’s open finals as the singles competition of the 2nd Toyota Tennis Tournament wrapped up Friday night at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

Both Loyola and Heo said they were experiencing fatigue due to a hectic week in which they saw action on most nights.

Being the experienced player, though, Loyola managed to edge his young opponent in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.

Although the score may indicate that the match was a stroll in the park, it was absolutely the opposite, with Heo taking Loyola to the limit.

The 13-year-old Ji Hoon was first to go ahead, placing his shots well and taking the first game, but Loyola came back and quickly gave the crowd a quick glimpse at what most of the first set would look like, tying the score at 1-1.

The two continued their neck and neck battle, however, with the set knotted at 3-3, Heo began showing signs of tiredness and Loyola took the next three games, 6-3, courtesy of a bunch of unforced errors by the young ace.

Loyola had his forehand working well for him, playing conservatively and making Heo hurt himself with more unforced errors to take a 3-0 lead at the start of the second set, but his streak came to an end after Heo dug deep for extra energy and began attacking the net to cut the deficit to 1-3.

Heo was desperate to build on his fourth game win and fought hard in the fifth game, determined to inch closer. The two displayed mental toughness throughout the long game, which went to deuce seven times before unforced errors again hampered Heo charge, giving Loyola a 4-1 advantage.

Loyola then took the next two games to close capture the coveted title.

Also taking reign was Buddy Garote, who won the 4.5 men’s category with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Nanding Cajigan, while Jorge Olanda powered past Abet Encarnacion in a thrilling men’s 4.0 final. Olanda and Encarnacion matched each other point for point in the opening set before Olanda squeezed up a 7-5 win. Encarnacion then returned the favor in shut out fashion, taking the second set 6-0. Olanda then clinched the title with a 6-3 win.

For his part, Aramis Dailo put up a strong charge in the opening set and managed to hold off a run by Yesman Gurong to claim the men’s singles 3.0. Dailo had everything go his way in the opener, taking the set 6-1, but had to work his magic in the second set to edge his opponent 7-6 (7-5).

Also taking the spot light was the one-two punch of Johnny Johnson and Letty Jones, who communicated well throughout their bout against Dino Jones and Delia Johnson in the mixed doubles 4.0.

The mixed doubles finals featured husband going up against his wife and mother facing her son, and the tandem of Johnny Johnson and Letty Jones was just too much as the two scored the title behind a straight sets win 6-2, 6-4.

The tournament was organized by the Saipan Tennis Association. Aon Insurance also served as a minor sponsor.