THE tandems of doctor Ken Mamontuan-Edgar Quinones and doctor Yoyong Araral-Barry Vicente eliminated their respective rivals in the 40-above division of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Team Tennis Challenge that opened recently at the Ecoland Phase 4 Tennis Club courts, Matina, Davao City.
Mamontuan-Quinones displayed offensive groundstroke to survive a 8-6 win over the pair of lawyer Marvin Camino and Bobot Alga, while Araral-Vicente's service aces defeated Rogelio Casal and Renato Casal.
Ricardo Amazona and Roland Diamante whipped the Lando Ibarreta-Emette Ayroso duo, 8-5, while doctor Vic Angus and Jimboy Kabigting also won to advance in the semifinals.
Marlon Abad and Marvin Bartolome, for their part, combined forces to overcome CIDG chief Francis Sonza and Romeo Parcon, 8-6, while doctor Jed Mangaoil and Carlo Giovanni Lacerna also reached the 30-above semifinals.
Meanwhile, 50-above early winners were the pairs of Abet Dizon and Ricardo Amazona who demolished Quintin Dano Jr. and Allan Leonardo, 8-5, while Casal-Casal shocked Araw ng Dabaw finalist pair Arnold Sarabia, suffering from a leg injury, and Lando Ibarreta, 9-7, in the match that finished in two hours and 35 minutes.
Veteran Boy Diong and Butch Dela Cruz also eked out a rousing 8-1 triumph over Gerry Gandeza and Jong Hurtado.
The men's doubles competition will be held on Saturday, August 17, at the same venue.
The Kadayawan netefest is presented by the City Government of Davao through the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office. (With report from Juanito Cansino Jr.)