My first real game of the tournament was a little bit of surprise and really fun. Since yesterday, when Carlo gave me the schedules until the time I was waiting for my game, I was expecting that my opponent today is an Indian, named George. I was really surprise when I found that, that George is my friend Kuya George. He is our family friend and I know how good he is in playing tennis. They play with his family regularly, while we are only playing occasionally. He is older than me (I presume) but he is more physically fit than me. He played also basketball sometimes. He is really a great physical man.

All these times, I was thinking that my opponent is old man, and not physically fit. My game plan was to take the game easy and slow. But now, I'm facing a very strong opponent. I even told Carlo that Kuya George should not be allowed in Beginners level, because I saw him already playing strong tennis, hehehe. Honestly, I was hoping that he should not show up, hehehe, otherwise I'll be in trouble.

Kuya George came with Ate May Ann, his wife. He was also surprised that we will be playing against each other. He was not expecting that I joined this tournament.

Game begins. He served first and he was really strong! Serves, volleys, forehands, backhands - everything with spin and power! He knows also where to put the ball. I was trying to match his power, but simply he is far superior and more powerful than me. He immediately leads 2-0!

After that, I tried to slow the game down. I tried to avoid unforced errors. I tried to be more accurate rather than forcing myself. I bring fun to the game. I just laugh to some of my mistakes and move on. Suddenly, I found myself leading 3-2! :)

Kuya George combination of power and accuracy returns. I guess he finally found the antidote of my slow game. He tied it to 3-3! Exciting huh?

At this moment, both of us step-up the game. For me, I just let myself go. Sometimes I slow it down, sometimes I use power too. Similarly Kuya George did the same as well, this time he also changed his style - he tried to give me some slow shots, and let me run from the 4 corners of the court, and of course his power is still there when he wants it.

I lost track of what happened at this end part of our game - even the scores. I was so focused in each balls that he is giving to me, trying my best to catch it and returning it back to his court. I played more defense than offense. I simply hit back all the balls to his side of the court and that was all I was doing until the end. Well, that's all I can honestly remember right now.

I was surprised, really surprised, when the Umpire shouted, GAME OVER!

I won it: 6-3.

Thanks Kuya George for letting me experienced a hell of a game. You are better than me. I just won that game, but you are really superior than me. I will not be surprise if you will be the champion of the Beginner's Level of this tournament. Hope to play with you again.

By the way, Nonoy, my brother-in-law also won his game. He was against Kumar, the Indian guy that supposedly my opponent last week. Kumar was "thankful" I didn't appeared last week. Really, he said thanks to me.

The QP Tennis Tournament was really fun. Specifically in our level - the Beginners Level, you will see how we beginners tried to give our best and compete to each other. As I saw some of the other players especially the young ones how they played well; I'm sure my next games will be as tough as with Kuya George or even tougher. What I have now is the experienced from Kuya George, how to stay focus and have fun while playing. I'll bring all what I learned in my next games.