Quiñones, Largo in grudge final match in Lapu-Lapu tennis

CEBU - Michael Quiñones and Francis Largo lived up to all the hype and expectations being the title favorites as they elbowed out separate foes to arrange a dream championship match in the elite men's Open A category of the 2008 Lapu-Lapu City Fiesta Tennis Tournament billed as "1st Mayor Arturo "Boy" Radaza Cup" the other day at the city's tennis courts.

Quiñones conjured all the strength he could muster to handily beat Van Zulueta, 10-1, while Largo vanquished multi-titled hometown bet James Dumoran, 10-6, in the other semifinal battle.

Quiñones and Largo were still slugging it out for the coveted crown as of this writing yesterday, with the former seeking payback of his 4-10 loss to Largo during their exhibition duel that kicked off the month-long contest organized by City Councilor Junard "Ahong" Chan assisted by tournament director Junjun Clarito.

Quiñones advanced after ousting the promising Bernardine "Niño" Siso, 10-3, while Largo has to pass through the wringer before marching into the semifinal via a nerve jangling 10-9 victory over veteran netter Roy Tabotabo.

Zulueta, on the other hand, booted out Kennex Abadia, 10-7, while Dumoran completed the four-team semis cast with a 10-6 triumph over Bo Alburo.

Meanwhile, the games in the Ladies category that were interrupted by heavy downpour last Saturday will be contested today still at the same venue.

The event, which is among the major highlights of the annual fiesta celebration of Lapu-Lapu City in honor of its beloved patroness Virgen de la Regla (Our Lady of the Rule) on November 20-21, will formally wind up with the awards night on November 22. – EBV (FREEMAN NEWS)