(MENAFN- Arab News) DAMMAM: Rene Vic Jalop of Al Ittefaq Steel Product Company a one-time basketball MVP and consistent Mythical Five in the Eastern Province basketball community here turn things into another sports class this time as a tennis player when he blasted Edgar Pangilinan of National Steel Company 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 to claim the Champions Trophy in the Al Tuwairqi Group Tennis Beginners Challenge on Friday at Saudi Arabian Youth Hostels Association Club (SAYHA).

Early on it looked like Jalop would surrender the 1st set with a 2-5 deficit but little by little he built his comeback breaking Pangilinan' s set point serve on a lucky bounce forehand winner that kissed the edge of the sideline and riding that momentum to force a tie-break (6-6).

In the tie-break Pangilinan race again to 4-2 lead and seemed on course for a 1st set victory only for Jalop to find his errant chopping volley drops and began to work his way back again to level the score at four all before coming through a 6-6 deadlock featuring seven deuces which Jalop won on a net error by Pangilinan. Jalop would break the serve of Pangilinan again to lead 7-6 and made no mistake on his attempt to serve out for the set.

Pangilinan was a no push-over indeed he held serve comfortably for a 1-0 at the start of the second set but Jalop's confidence had surged as the two players exchange to level scores at 4-4 but Jalop producing winners on another chopping volley that broke Pangilinan in the 9th game for a 5-4 lead. In the match point Jalop reeled off a winner and a long forehand by Pangilinan seal the victory for the champion after 1 hour and 25 minutes.

In the double championships Edgar Pangilinan return back to teamed up with fellow NASCO player Romeo dela Cruz had brushed aside the highly favored duo of ISPC's Dante Bulan and Jeffrey de Vera in straight sets 7-5 6-1 to earn the doubles crown.

It was quite a turnaround for Delacruz and Pangilinan after skipping a three-set semifinals win against Oscar Nartia and Roy Ortiz of Faisal Steel (6-2 4-6 7-3) and a grueling quarterfinals against Arturo Aquino and John Aguilar of Tuwairqi Corporate (6-2 5-7 8-6). Bulan and DeVera ride on a perfect entry in the finals without dropping a set they won their opening game with an easy 6-4 6-1 win against Cesar Go & Rey Ortiz a 6-2 7-6 quarterfinals victory against Jojo Hontanosas & Fernando Guiyab of Tuwairqi Corporate then smashing their way for a 6-3 6-2 win against Gary Serdoncillo and singles champion Jalop in the semis game.

Striking the ball with their usual consistency Bulan and DeVera took the opening game but could not find their rhythm in their served committing a total of eight double faults that Pangilinan and Delacruz took advantage for a 5-2 lead in the first set. But Bulan asserted on his height advantage and a huge serve played mostly in front of the net to control and level the match at 5-5 on a smash winner but the NASCO's pride stormed back two in a row to take the opening set.

The two teams were evenly matched at the beginning of the second set but it was Delacruz who made an impact after returning a strong forehand by Bulan over the net to produce a crosscourt winner and forcing errors to hold for 2-1 and ran away the match in 87 minutes.

Other award recipients: Singles 2nd Runner Up Oscar Nartia won against Rey Liclican after the later conceded with a back injury. Doubles 2nd Runner Up-Roy Ortiz & Oscar Nartia won against Gary Serdoncillo and Rene Vic Jalop 6-3 6-2.