Cebuana Espinosa makes Pintaflores net semifinals

Hannah Espinosa kept her championship hopes alive after she dominated separate foes in the Peugeot Philippines Tennis Open (PPTO) yesterday at Cebu Country Club.

CEBUANA netter Hannah Espinosa made a strong impact on her return to the court after five months of absence as she barged into the semifinal round of the Palawan Pawnshop – Palawan Express Pera Padala (PPS-PEPP) Pintaflores Festival regional tennis tournament yesterday at San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

The National University (NU) Lady Bulldog alumna chalked up victories against Bliss Bayking 6-4, 6-2 and Marianne De Guzman 6-3, 6-1 to move a win a way from the women’s singles finals.

Espinosa is set to battle second-ranked Khim Iglupas in today’s semifinals.

However, that wasn’t the case for University of the Visayas (UV) ace Norman Enriquez and Carcar, Cebu’s Elizabeth Abarquez who continued to suffer misfortunes after absorbing an opening round loss to the tandem of Ken Salvo and Shaira Rivera 6-4, 6-4 in the mixed doubles division.

Two days ago, Abarquez also lost to Rivera in women’s singles 6-0, 6-3 while Enriquez faltered against Leander Lazaro 6-2, 6-1 in the men’s singles play.

Juniors Champions

Last Monday, the 15-year-old Abarquez along with fellow Cebuano netter Venz Alforque dominated the juniors division of the PPS-PEPP Pintaflores Junior Tennis Festival.

Abarquez, a Central Visayas Regional Athletics Association (CVIRAA) gold medalist, lived up to her lofty billing by scoring a redemption win against Gennifer Pagente 6-0, 7-5 to pocket the 18-under girls plum.

Earlier in the tournament, Abarquez blew an opening set victory as she lost to Pagente in the 16-under girls division finals 5-7, 6-4, 10-7.

Also putting up a noteworthy performance is Naga City, Cebu’s Alforque who defeated Allain Ocat 6-2, 6-0 for the 14-under boys plum.