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BANKERS’ CUP…A LEGACY OF MANY
By Jeff Aldave

Some nine years ago today, Riyadh Bankers saw the birth of the first Bankers’ Cup tourney. It was established, an offshoot to the now defunct Interbank Team Tennis League, in a view to providing alternative arena among tennis aficionados of the banking sector in Riyadh. It was also envisioned to give an objective mechanism for classifying the players’ level of play (seeding). It started on with the knockout system format. When the Interbank League could no longer pursue due to other bank’s inability to form a team, the bankers’ cup came to the rescue. Thanks to the unremitting efforts of Bert Barriga and company in bringing back the flock of the banks’ tennis enthusiasts into the fold. Since then we’ve seen transformations both to the game format and to the individual players alike. We have seen players, tyros and pros, come and go. There were times when the league was marred by controversies, and times enliven with happy moments, of personalities and of issues, but the very core of friendship and sportsmanship, by which the cup continuously promotes and upholds, has undeniably prevailed.

We already have reached too far in the history of Riyadh Banker’s tennis circuit. We’ve met a lot of banks tennisters, now the best in their own right worthy of not forgetting. Others were just simply amusing and worth remembering. One could never forget the supremacy of Bert Terrel in guarding the net, virtually traversing both sides in a flash like a wiper. He earned the name SAIB’s ninja. If you happened to stay a little bit late on courts, you would be amazed on how Tony Monter has perfected the art of making lob, so high upon the sky. No one has beaten the record till this moment. What about the two Mannys? Obligado and Quindo? The former, so obviously serious you would hardly notice the ball goes dropping your toes like a bomb, and the latter, the lighter side, that brings a relief of sort for his comic antics and stirs the crowd. Joey Salem AKA Navratilova was also there like a roaring thunder as he tramples his feet to make a way for a sword-edged return serve. He made us laugh so well. Oh yes, Charlie Reminajes is still around, but mind you then, he twirls his racquet first at least thirty times amazingly synchronized before he throws the ball into the air to make a serve. And there’s Gigi, Gilbert Faustino of course, so finely superb in his execution of a double fisted backhand followed by a glimpse of sweet smile on partly opened lips. So mean isn’t it? Remember Demy? Naidas of course, Ohh his form and style was just so intimidating. Let’s not forget Boy Alcantara, who’s SAIBs first Boy Waheed for getting just one point in one of his games, and was branded as such (just for fun, of course). Really, Dennis Miralles and Bogs were in C1 when I was already in B4. Now look! Hail to them, I’ll bite my tongue.

While there were those so good in netting and volleying, there were also who were good in singing. How I missed Rey Torion in his white vest serenading us while enjoying the sumptous dinner catered by Romy’s Café Manila. Ya Salam! We did our own version of Sing-Alis too! No one could have beaten Art Bumatay or Jun Tingson if only Roger Villaspir was not around.

And the list continues…the history goes on…

The Bankers’ Cup has indeed evolved from the time of Bert Barriga’s chairmanship. We’ve seen his successors adeptness in continuing the legacy and making each tourney a better and memorable one. Thanks to the unremitting efforts of the past chairmen like, Abner Macapagal, Tony Monter, Danny Perez, Angel Aniag. They were all worthy of commendation for leading the group that we are now today.

This year, we still perceive the legacy linger and is very much alive and going under the astute leadership of the indefatigable gem from SABB, the bubbly Dodie Vizcarra. With Dodie, we never cease to be amazed by his surprises and prizes. We’ve seen the transformation of awards and trophies being handed down to winners, from the old-old style brass trophies to a now stylish Glass made trophy, certainly a priceless memento that won’t tarnish till the day we bid maasalamah from Saudi Arabia.

This year, we also go sophisticated. We are now on the Web. The birth of the first ever Banker’s Cup web page, created and developed by SAIB’s very own Rolly Torres, was unveiled during the first season of 2007 Bankers’ Cup tournament. Relish and relive the memorable moments that you probably missed during the tournament by visiting the site – Bankerscup.wordpress.com.

There were glitz, glamour, some bloopers and fascinating legacies that the banker’s cup have brought so far. They’re for us to relive and learn. As we write another page in the history of Interbank and the Bankers’Cup, let us make the most of it, giving our share of fun and fair play. Make us remember you as the years pass. Let honesty and camaraderie begin in you. It is sweet to win the Cup, but it’s sweeter to win the hearts of many.

Go, go, Bankers rise! It’s Bankers Cup Quest. Either you’re in or out. Let the games begin!