PERENNIAL leg winner Nash Agustines and Dean Lianne Lanipa led the charge for local netters at the recent leg of the Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group Tennis Champions Series in Oroquieta City, with Agustines ruling both the boys’ 14-under and 16-under categories, and Lanipa making her mark in the girls’ 12-under group.
Agustines beat 12-under champion Heinz Asian Carbonilla from Maranding, Lanao del Norte, 6-3, 6-4, in the finals of the 14-under and duplicated it with another 6-3, 6-2 straight-set victory over Al Kent Balazo from Tubod, Lanao del Norte for the 16-under crown.
Lanipa was extended by Nicole Marie Bubutan from Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, 6-1, -6, 10-6, before taking the 10-under unisex title in the tournament backed by Dunlop as the official ball.
“It certainly is good to see a mix of previous winners and a few newcomers as podium finishers, it means the good players are getting better, while new ones are becoming good players,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President/CEO of the sponsoring Cebuana Lhuillier Group that initiated this grassroots tennis program 12 years ago.
Iligan City’s Rovie Baulete matched the feat of Agustines, winning both the girls’ 16-under and 18-under titles.
She had an easy 6-3, 6-3 victory over Cebu City bet Pherl Bless Coderos in the finals of the 16-under, but struggled against Alessandra Quimbo from Jimenez, Misamis Occidental, before pulling off a three-set win, 6-4, 3-6, 10-8, in the finals of the 18-under age group.
Garlandson Ardiente, an up-and-coming player from Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, topped the 10-under unisex group, beating Bryzen Wyn Sanchez, 4-2, 4-2, in the championship match, then added the 10-under doubles’ title to his collection as he shared it with Pete Bandala.
Another familiar name emerged winner in the boys’ 18-under as Jose Maria Pague from Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay posted a quick 6-2, 6-1 win over Sindangan native Nik Alessandro Isagan for the boys’ 18-under crown.
Another Sindangan bet, Ma. Maxiel Rica Labrador also joined the winners’ list with her own victory in the girls’ 14-under age category, where she defeated Kristin Guia Margarette Bandolis from Tubod, Lanao del Norte in three sets, 6-1, 4-6, 10-6. Bandolis also shared the girls’ 14 & under doubles crown with Ledidiah Gupit.