Ruel, Abadia arrange title showdown

DAVAO City - Second seed Roland Ruel Jr. and No. 3 Adelo Abadia of Manila arranged a showdown for the National Milo men's tennis crown by dominating their respective rivals in the semifinals at the Davao City Tennis Club here yesterday.

Ruel crushed No. 4 Pop Sabandon of Iligan City, 6-3, 6-2, while Abadia defeated giant-killer Jessie Lapore, 6-4, 2-0 (ret.) in the other semis match.

Lapore, who eliminated top-ranked Johnny Arcilla, 7-4, 4-6, 6-1, in the quarterfinals, retired due to over-fatigue.

Ruel and Abadia dispute the crown at 9 a.m. today with the winner getting P16,000 and the loser P8,000.

In the distaff side, Jessica Haro whipped younger sister Joyce, 6-1, 6-4, to set up a title clash with Joeriza Academia, who ousted Goldie Mae Valenzona, 6-3, 6-4.

The Jaro-Academia duel is also set at 9 a.m. with the winner pocketing P3,000 plus a trophy.

The award rites will be graced by Mayor Ben de Guzman, Philta Region 11 Titong Casino and Nicole Fernandez of the organizing Atty. Nick Fernandez II Memorial Sports Foundation.