Cebu netters Enriquez, Villareal, Suson capture titles in Palawan Pawnshop regional tilt
Cebu junior netters Norman Joseph Enriquez and Shyne Villareal lived up to their lofty billing as they snared the 18-U titles in their respective divisions by forcing their opponents to retire in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala (PPS-PEPP) regional tennis circuit yesterday at Consolacion Tennis Club in Laray, Cebu.
The 17-year old Enriquez rolled out the red carpet with a 6-4 triumph in the opening set over the worn out Frank Earl Actub. He forced the Iligan City native to retire in the second set en route to the 18-U boys crown.
Beforehand, Frank Earl went toe-to-toe with his younger brother, Frank Paul Actub, before pulling away with a 6-3, 6-3 victory for the 16-U boys crown.
In the distaff side, Naga City’s Villareal pulled off a huge victory by retiring Gennifer Pagente in the first set to seize the 18-U girls title.
The University of San Carlos Warriors (USC) star Villareal opened the game with a 1-0 advantage before Pagente retired due to cramps.
Fatigue took its toll on the Cagayan de Oro native Pagente, who came back from a set down to defeat Tracy Llamas, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, and snatch the Girls 16-U title earlier in the day.
Also making a name for herself was Cebuana CJ Thalia Suson, who proved that anything men can do, women can do better. She went on to win the 10-under unisex crown after defeating her male opponent Chad Connor Cuizon, 5-3, 4-0, in the finals.
But it wasn’t all good news for Cebu as Cesar Salimbangon missed two chances of pocketing a title.
He first lost to Khenz Justiniani 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 to miss out on the 12-U title. Then he faltered anew against Rewel Justiniani, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1, for a chance at the 14-U crown.
In other games, Mandaluyong City’s Macie Carlos put on an epic performance after she bagged the Girls 14-U and 12-U titles by running roughshod over Kiana De Asis 7-6 (3), 6-2 and Cebuana upstart Tiffany Claire Nocos 6-4, 6-1.
Koronadal City will host the sixth stop of the 52-stage nationwide circuit on February 11 to 15.