The U.S. Professional Tennis Association teachers came to Davao City to teach beginners. After Davao, they will be going to Cagayan de Oro, in the Visayas and finally in Luzon.

Organizer Elmer Dolera (extreme right) is responsible for bringing the American tennis teachers to Davao with the help of the U.S. Embassy, Cebuana Lhuillier, Coca-Cola, Jean Henri Lhuillier. Also shown are (left-right) this blogger, Davao Association of Tennis Clubs-Tennis Academy Foundation’s Alex Bernan and Carol Angel.(Photo by Delfin Yap)

USPTA’s Mark Allen emphasizes a point to a young participant as Brian Cunnif looks on.

USPTA’s Brian Cunnif with young participants.

USPTA’s Ted Sayrahder with a student.

Davao belongs to the Regional Area 8 along with Socsargen and Maguindanao.

Former national coach Jose Lipa met with Davao’s Division 1 teams on Wednesday night and discussed with coaches Allan Josol of DMMA College of Southern Philippines, Dindo Pastor of Jose Maria College, Mat Cubero of Agro Foundation College, Marlon Lucnagan of Rizal Memorial Colleges, Pocholo Elegino of Ateneo de Davao University and Atty.Manny Nitorreda of the University of Mindanao the details of the competition.

After the Davao swing, the top two squads will advance to the Mindanao finals to play against the best squads coming from other areas.

Cagayan de Oro City, he said, is interested to host the Zonals.

The national champion will get a chance to represent the Philippines to the Universiade competitions next year in Serbia, Lipa said aside from getting scholarship grants and athletic equipment.

The Champion’s League is presented by Rey D. Gamboa, chairman of the PCCL and sanctioned by the BAP-Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas.

Tournament starts at exactly 8 a.m., according to tournament chairman Edgardo “Bing” Grandeza.

Weigh-in of players is on Saturday, 5 to 6 p.m., at the Moo Duk Kwan gym at Artiaga for the pairings of the players.

Gunning for honors are squads from San Pedro College, Davao Doctor’s College, Brokenshire College, DMMA College of Southern Philippines, University of Mindanao and host UIC.

The champions will advance to the Regional Eliminations on March 7 to 9.

The leaders tallied 3,012 pinfalls, followed by Digos Metro Lions Club at second with 2,911.

DC Capitol Lions Club came in at third with 2,886, followed by Mt.Talomo Lions Club with 2,819, DC Chinatown Lions Club with 2,751, DC Host Pag-Asa Lions Club with 2,528, DC Santa Ana Lions Club-B with 2,522, DC Silangan Lions Club with 2,461, DC Central Lions Club with 2,421.

Digos Metro Lions Club and DC Santa Ana scored the highest team single and double with 537 and 1,043 pinfalls, respectively.

Larry Regenio and Ninfa Daclan of DC Sta.Ana registered 137 and 119 pinfalls for the highest individual scorer awards. Daclan, who is also president of the Davao City Bowlers Association, took the doubles’ crown with 234 pinfalls.

Atty.Marc Anthony Fernandez of Digos Metro bagged the men’s side with 235 while Teody Abrenica of DC Capitol emerged with the highest pinning score of 93 while Neneng Libres of DC Host Pag-asa shared the honor with an 88.

Games will resume on March 1 and 8.

Featured teams are the Rizal Memorial Colleges Bulldogs, Agro-Industrial Foundation College Sailors, Holy Cross of Davao College Crusaders and the Ateneo de Davao University Blue Knights.

The event is sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission in coordination with the Sports Development Division-City Mayor’s Office and the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas XI.

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez will be on hand to grace the event along with Davao City Sports Coordinator Christopher “Bong” Go and BAP-SBP Regional Director Regino “Boy” Cua.

Holy Cross of Davao College Crusaders.

Rizal Memorial Colleges Bulldogs.

Ateneo de Davao University Blue Knights.

Agro Foundation College Sailors.

The City Mayor’s Office team presents souvenir items to the visiting Australian Sports Ambassadors from Perth after their exhibition game at the Davao City Recreation Center. The Australians won, 95-63.DAVAO SPORTSWRITERS ASSOCIATION

City Sports Coordinator Bong Go of the City Mayor’s Office eludes Danny Cook of the Australian Sports Ambassadors, Thursday night at the Davao City Recreation Center. The visitors won, 95-63.DAVAO SPORTSWRITERS ASSOCIATION

Team captain Greg Beacham, a teacher in Perth, said that they have built relationships with Filipinos in Bukidnon Province where they also played a series of games.

They intend to have the same output after a series of games in Davao City with Brokenshire College, MATS College of Technology, and the Duterte Agilas-City Mayor’s Office led by City Sports Coordinator Christopher “Bong” Go.

Coach Jeff Long said that they were able to play and teach for several years but not only that, the Australians this year were able to help build a Children’s Home in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

During the half time breaks, they conduct a Bible study for the spectators to learn more about Jesus.

“And it is very encouraging to know that people change for the better,” said Long on Thursday’s Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn.

The Australians will play their last games on Thursday and take a break on Friday before leaving back to Manila later in the evening.

Aside from from the six-foot-five Beacham and Long, the other Sports Ambassadors are 6′9″ Joshua Manthe, 6′4″ Giles Creelman, 6′3″ Paul Beacham, 6′3″ Mark Beacham, 6′3″ Danny Cook, 6′” Mike Valenti, 6′2″ Hedly Taylor, 6′0″ Brad Potts and 5′10 Rufo Cabunkal.

Australian Sports Ambassadors team captain Greg Beacham (center) explains the purpose of their visit to Davao City on Thursday’s DSA Forum at the Tower Inn.Also shown are playing coach Jeff Long (left) and their Davao coordinator Pastor Gary Visitacion.DAVAO SPORTSWRITERS ASSOCIATION

Ivy Fernandez, Holiday’s Chief Operating Officer, said that the form must be submitted not later than February 8. A play-off briefing in on February 9 at 5 p.m.

Forms are available at the Holiday Gym and Spa along Torres Street, Wheels and More gym at Bajada, The Venue at Jacinto Extension and PenHaus at the Victoria Plaza.

Age brackets are for 16 to 21, 22 to 30 and 31 and above.

Registration fee is P1,500 per team. Playing dates are February 16 to 17 and 23 to 24, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fore more information, contact 2223041 c/o Richie.