Ruel trips Abadia

DAVAO CITY -- Second seed Rolando Ruel of Palawan used his solid groundstrokes to beat No. 3 Adelo Abadia of Zamboanga, 7-6, 6-1, for the men's singles crown in the 2000 Milo National Men's and Women's Tennis Championships at the Davao City Tennis Club yesterday.

Ruel took control of the match from the start, winning it in one hour and earning the top prize of P16,000.

Abadia settled for the P6,000 runner-up cash purse awarded by Nicole Fernandez of the organizing Atty. Nick Fernandez II Memorial Sports Foundation. Also present during the awards rites was Philta Region 11 head Titong Cansino.

"Magaling na rin talaga siya ngayon," said the 21-year-old Abadia.

In the men's doubles, Ruel combined with no. 4 Pop Sabandon for an exciting 7-6, 4-6, 7-5 win over Abadia and No. 1 Johnny Arcilla.

Davao's Joyce Haro pocketed the women's crown by whipping Joriza Academia, 6-3, 6-4. She earned P3,000 for her feat.

Haro and Academia later teamed up in winning the women's doubles at the expenxe of Joylene Tan and Jessica Haro, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.

In the non-ranking event, Mati's Dodong Rubillar crushed Davao's Troy Amerkhan, 6-4, 6-2, for the men's singles title.