Largo, Lagman grab titles in Andrada Cup tennisfest

While Cebu is celebrating the feast of Señor Sto. Niño, Cebuano netters Francis Largo and Jacob Lagman also jubilate after romping off with championship trophies in their respective divisions in the Andrada National Age-Group Cup yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Courts in Manila.

Sto. Niño has manifested its wonder even to Cebu's players competing in Manila as Largo of the University of the Visayas got the better of his archrival Elsanto Santos in the boys 16-under division, while Lagman bagged the boys 12-under crown.

Seeded No.2 in the tournament, Largo displayed superb performance to upset Santos in dominating fashion, 6-3, 6-1 and avenge his heartbreaking loss to the General Santos City player during the Milo International Junior Tennis last December.

Unlike in their previous duel, the game lacked excitement as Santos was not in his usual form.

Santos could not get a chance of closing in, while Largo's change of tactics worked well as he fiercely attacked Santos and showed high level of aggressiveness in the match.

"Gitabangan jud ni Sto. Niño ang mga kamot ni Largo. Plano namo daan na duwaon sa net si Santos kay steady man iyang duwa unya offensive player sad si Largo," said coach Fritz Tabura.

With Largo's feat, he is now ranked No.3 in the age-group, while Santos is rated number two behind Pablo Olivarez.

Largo now concentrates on sharpening his craft further by joining more tournaments in a higher level. He also seeks to earn a slot in the RP team that will compete in the Davis Cup in Malaysia this summer.

On the other hand, the topseed Lagman of St. Benedict Childhood Education Center started his year in the boys-12 division on a blazing note.

Lagman, who posted a treble in last December's Malaysian tennis circuit, battered perennial foe Calvin Canlas in the final, 6-2, 6-4 to claim the championship.