The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 21

4-B (gulueatun Hatlu NEIDB Wednesday orning, June 25,1986 hy didn't you turn professional?" -Players coming out of college tennis have probably been asked that question hundreds of times before. Unfortunately, the answer is very simple. The fact is drumroll just weren't good enough. It may be hard to believe, but I've been approached with the same inquiry before. And I sadly have had to respond with a chuckle.

For a high school player, I was better than average. Yet, I was only the No. 4 player on our team, so many of the colleges around didn't know that I even existed. The two top players on the team were great high school players and the No 3 player was somewhere in between, so I was lost in theshuffle during recruiting. When Lamar University Coach Ron Wesbrooks came down to Galveston to scout our team, he said he would rather have our two best players and added, "Have you thought about McNeese State? They usually finish last in the conference and could use some help." Gulp! That was a hard one toswallow.

Instead of going to a major college, I went off to play junior college tennis, where my coach also happened to be my journalism teacher At least my journalism grades were all A's. But I had two good seasons in the junior college ranks and that caught the attention not but few are chosen MANUtL of the various major college coaches but of other players I had met or played against during that time span. I managed to finagle a full ride to Stephen F. Austin and was ready to pack my bags for Nac (SPA lingo) when Mom relayed a late bulletin to me to call my high school coach, no matter what time I got in I remember looking at the clock. It was 10 39 p.m.

I did as Mom asked and called. "Come on over, right now! I need to talk to you about something very important!" he said. I was tired and sleepy when I got to his house, but woke up in a flash when he asked me, you like to play tennis at Lamar University?" "Quit the joshing, this is no laughing matter! You know how bad I wanted to go there!" was my response. But he wasn't laughing, only hysterical that I was finally going to the school I had wanted to attend all those years I was major college material af terall. I was baffled.

Did Wesbrooks leave? Gosh, he hasnt seen me play since high school! Why does he want me now? Has he lost a few upstairs? No, the reason was Joe Antle, a former Baytown Sterling player at Temple Junior College, and O'Connell teammate Doug Rodwell both Lamar players, had thrown in a few good words for me. The high school boss had alsoadded a few (maybe lots) white lies. I proved to be a below-average major college player that had his moments seldom The youthful Wesbrooks had to have grayed during my two-year stay there. I know I did. We even lost the Southland Conference championship for the first time that initial year.

Many times I wondered if Stephen F. Austin still would have taken meas a senior transfer. But I never regretted my decision to give up a full scholarship to SFA. My goal was to play major college tennis in Beaumont and I did Not many locals can say they did that much with their tennis. But the pros? The name Manuel Moreno Jr.

may look good on paper (rank me one of the top 20 players on the island) and as a newspaper byline, but my name would only bring a silent stare from someone in-the-know from Houston. Manny who? The same would go for many of the top college players, even those who gained Ail- American status. A famous Spokesman once said, "Many are called, but few are chosen." I wonder if He had tennis in mind? The John McEnroes and Chris Evert Lloyds are few and inhuman. The big difference between them and the next level of tennis is mental toughness and consistent shot making. They win the big points with the big shots consistently.

I did well in high school and junior college. But major college tennis and especially pro tennis are different stories. The pros use new- advanced Cheer detergent to wash their tennis attire. I still use the generic brands. The latest, poll shows the average age of a woman tennis player turning pro is 19 while the men's average is 21.

The men, however, stick around longer for one more year, 8-7. I guess someone purposely skipped my name at roll call. At 29 quickly going on 30, I guess it's a tad top late anyway. Just another one of the 18,9 million red-blooded amateur Americans still hacking away at it. See you on the courts til! next week.

Isle Classic will be offering own kind of fireworks By MANUEL MORENO JR. News Tennis Writer GALVESTON Fireworks of a quieter kind will sound off during the Fourth of July weekend as the 7th Annual Treasure Isle Tennis Classic takes place at the Menard Park and Galveston College tennis courts. First-round action begins Friday, July 4, at 9 a.m. with the men's singles at Menard Park. Other events being offered are men's doubles, women's singles and doubles, men's 35-and-over singles and doubles, and mixed doubles.

The finals are set for Sunday, July 6, at Galveston College. The last Treasure Isle Classic was held back in 1980 when Dan Weber of League City, and Kim Gaido and Charlie Brooks, both of Galveston, grabbed their respective singles championships. Weber defeated younger brother Tom for the men's title while Gaio, only 13 at the time, waltzed to the ladies' crown. Brooks, meanwhile, nailed down the men's 35-and-over class. Two of the three champions have already made verbal commitments to defend their titles.

Gaido will also team with Suzanne Schwab of Galveston to hopefully repeat as the doubles champions. Gaido will then join Eddie Janek Jr. of Galveston in the mixed doubles. Gaido should be challenged by Julie Jordan of Galveston, who played her collegiate tennis at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, and Jenny Buchannan of Beaumont. Lamar University's Donna Van Auken and Belinda Jeff coat are also entered.

The men's singles boasts islander Joe David Aldape, a four-time high school state doubles champion at O'Connell, and state-ranked junior Scott Stewart of Beaumont. David Wong, head pro at Waller Creek Country Club in Beaumont, will also be a reckoned force in the singles while teaming with Stewart in the doubles. Steve Castillo will be one of many out-of-town entries from Rosenberg. Brooks will be tested by Pepsi Cola Tournament champion Ben Clark of Houston, and Gene Letsos and John Buckley both of Galveston, in the 35-and-over bracket. Former NAIA All- American'Bobby Gaona of Galveston will team with Brooks in the doubles action.

Aldape and Schwab are expected to be one of the top seeds in the mixed doubles draw. Trophies will be awarded to the first-and second-place finishers in each event. A sportsmanship award will also be presented. The last sportsmanship recipient was former Galveston Racquet Club pro David Connell, now of Bryan. No-ad scoring will be used throughout the entire tournament, including the finals.

A 12-point tiebreaker will be used at 6-all including the third set. The Treasure Isle Classic is a single elimination tournament. Entries may be picked up locally at the Galveston Racquet Club (83rd and Airport); Galveston College Fort Crockett Campus (5101 U); Menard Park Recreation Center (2119 27th); Stiglich Grocery (2728 Q); UTMB Field House (4th Mechanic); and in Texas City at the Lowry Fitness Center (1900 5th Avenue North) and College of the Mainland (8001 Palmer Highway). Entry deadline is Monday, June 30, at 5 p.m. For more information, call 740-2204.

New WBA champ expects to return to job as plumber APLaserphoto Surprise winner Robert Seguso crouches down as he watches a shot from mi Connors duri their irst round match Tuesday at Went t0 UpSet the No 3-seeded Connors 7-6. See story, Page IB. LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) Stevie Cruz, the new World Boxing Association featherweight champion, said Tuesday he expects to go back to work as a plumber's helper in a couple of weeks. Barry McGuigan, of Ireland, the man Cruz took the title from in 110-degree heat Monday night, plans to relax with his family for a couple of days here and take about five months to make a decision abouthis boxing future.

"I may retire, I may," the 25- year-old McGuigan said when asked if his 15-round decision loss to Cruz, of Fort Worth could be his lastfight. McGuigan, who was knocked down three times, twice in the 15th round, left Valley Hospital where had spent the night, to attend a poolside news conference at Caesars Palace. A CAT scan revealed no brain injury, but McGuigan was to be given a second precautionary examination. "They asked me to come back because they could't find my brain," joked McGuigan. The first thing he is going to do, said Cruz, who earns $6.50 and hour on his job and who made $70,000 Monday night, is take his 15-year-old wife, Terry Ann, on a proper honeymoon.

The 22-year-old Cruz said he would be happy to give McGuigan a rematch. "I don't know about Ireland, but maybe England," Cruz said. Then he added, "If the money's right I'll fight anywhere." While Cruz put a crimp in McGuigan's plans, Robbie Sims did the same thing for Roberto Duran. The 35-year-old Panamanian had come out of retirement to try for a rematch with middleweight champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler in hopes of becoming the first man to win four titles. Sims, Hagler's brother, earned a 10-round split decision over Duran by winning the last round.

"If the people and the press want me to come back, I'll come back," said Duran, a former lightweight, welterweight and dlewei ht champion. But Duran's days as major fight andattraction appear ended. In the third fight on the tnpleheader, which was shown on pay-per-view and closed-circuit television in the United States and Canada, Thomas Hearns toyed with Mark Medal before stopping him in the eighth round of a World Boxing Council super welterweighttitledefense. Hearns, who said he hurt his right hand in the second round said hehad Hagler on his mind. Hagler was supposed to have announced here Tuesday whether he would fight a rematch in November with Hearns, who he knocked out in the third round April 15, 1985, or fight Sugar Ray Leonard.

World Cup down to final 4 teams Malone vows revenge against Katz, Sixers Malone to gel revmse "I'm glad to be coming to a great organization, not like the one in Philadelphia," said Malone, speaking in his first press conference since coming to the Bullets in a blockbuster trade June 17 "Dealing with Harold was really a problem, and I'm looking forward to shutting his mouth." Malone, 31, came to Washington just prior to the NBA draft along with Terry Catledge, the 76ers' 21st pick in this year's draft and a first round choice in the 1988 draft. In exchange, the Bullets gave Philadelphia center Jeff Ruland and forward Cliff Robinson. "I figure Harold traded me to an East Coast team because he's very cocky claimed Malone "He could have sent me to a West Coast team but he didn t. He says I'm not as good as I used to be, but now he'sgottofacemesixtimesandlintendtoprovehim wrong" Malone, who led Philadelphia to the NBA crown in his first year with the chub, said Katz has not treated his players well since that 1982-83 season. "Harold criticized me when I was hurt.

He's not doing anvthine to sign guys like (free agents) Julius Erving and Maurice Cheeks and that's just not right," Malonesaid. "Harold just doesn't treat the team like family, even though he thinks he does." Malone said his former teammates are all fuming over the trade. "All the guys are disappointed," he said. "They just couldn't believe it, because they knew I was still playing well and because I kept them loose off the court, too." Malone said his relationship with Katz began to deteriorate in the 1983-84 season when Katz publicly criticized him even though Malone was playing with a fractured ankle. MEXICO CITY (AP) No European team has won the World Cup when it has been played in the Western Hemisphere.

On Wednesday, three teams from Europe will try to climb to the last step on the ladder. France, the European champion, West Germany and Belgium are in the semifinals, along with Argentina, the only Latin American hope remaining. The French play the Germans in Guadalajara and the surprising Belgians take on Argentina at Aztec Stadium in Mexico Stadium on Wednesday. Entries from Europe have made the finals before in World Cups held in this part of the world, but never won the championship In 1978, Argentina beat the Netherlands for the title at Buenos Aires. Brazil downed Italy in 1970 in Mexico, while in 1962, it was Brazil over Czechoslovakia in Santiago, Chile.

With the French and Germans meeting in a replay of their 1982 semifinal won by West Germany in a penalty-kick Shootout a European entry is guaranteed as a finalist. Can Belgium, which already has upset the Soviet Union and Spain to get to the final four, eliminate Latin America's last chance? "If we play together and stay confident, perhaps we can be in the final," Belgian Coach Guy Thys said. "We should have no doubts about our belonging on the field for the semifinals after such wins (over the Soviets 4-3 in extra time and Spain 5-4 on penalty kicks)." 3 Thys has reinforced his reputation as a master tactician with his strategies during this tournament His use of a zone defense, with six or seven players moving up and back together, worked well against the high-scoring Soviets. That tactic also confused Spain's Emilio Butragueno, who equalled a World Cup record by scoring four goals in the second round against Denmark. He didn't score any against Belgium.

Now, the challenge is Diego Maradona, Argentina's superb striker who almost single-handedly eliminated England in the quarterfinals. If Maradona can dominate the action the way he did against England, Thys knows his team is in trouble. Still, Belgium will not assign oneplayertoshadow Maradona. We cannot sacrifice a defender for 90 minutes. They have too many qualities for that kind of work, said midfielder Frank Vercauteren.

"Maradona will have to be contained differently The who is nearest to 'him wiJj mark him very closely Two others will be close by in case he passes thefirstdefender RANCH HOME PRODUCTS INC. Oilers acquire 4 players D.M.S.O. HOUSTON (AP)-The Houston but suffered an iniurv "tJi Mft EMIMBfB FIIOS MMIllZffts PlftNTS HAVl 0 TCABS AU SPECIALS CLOSED ALL DAY SATURDAY CASH CARRY CLOSED fOR IUNCH 1P.M. TO OAIIY ONLY! HOUSTON (AP) The Houston Oilers acquired four players and released one while another resigned, a team spokesman said Tuesday. The team acquired six-foot, 205-pound Chris Brown from the Pittsburgh Steelers on waivers He had been with the Steelers for the past two seasons, said Oilers spokesman Chip Namias.

Brown was a sixth round draft choice from Notre Dame in 1984, when he played in all 16 games and had four starts as cornerback for the Steelers. Last season however, he only played in six games after two auto accidents caused neck and back injuries. The Oilers released running back Dwayne Crutchfield. He was on injured reserve with the Oilers all of last year after playing four seasons in the NFL. Crutchfield signed with the Oilers last August but suffered an injury during training camp, Namiassaid.

Crutchfield played with the New York Jets in 1982-1983, a short stint with the Oilers in 1983 and then played with the Los Angeles Rams. Frank Hair, a defensive lineman who was on injured reserve all of last season with a knee injury, decided to retire, Namias said. Hair signed on as a free agent last year after playing at the University of Kentucky. The Oilers also announced Tuesday that they had signed three free agents. They are Jack Lester, a 6-3 258-pound center and guard from Oregon State; Kurt Kafentzis, a 6-2, 190-pound safety from Hawaii; and John Kimmel, a linebacker from Colgate.

Kimmel went through the Philadelphia Eagles' training camp in 1985. 4.9910.9915.99 ROACH PRUFE $g99 POSITIVELY GETS RID OF ROACHES with iron, zinc, mag, sulphur FOR GARDEN- rtrt 50 IB. BAG 7,99 FOR GRASS A 50 IB. BAG 7.99 FOR GRASS rt- 50 IB. BAG 6.99 FERTILIZE NOW! 12-24-12 17-5-10 21-0-0 IIS HEADQUARTERS OFF WITH CASH ON STABILIZED CHLORIN.