Lopez nails 1st title, rips Estanio

Manila, Philippines - Elvie Lopez Jr. stunned second seed and multi-leg champion Rogelio Estanio Jr., 10-7, to rule the boy’s 18-under division of seventh leg of Smart presents Head Junior Tennis Satellite Circuit age-group national tennis tour in Dumaguete City recently.

Lopez, a 15-year-old from Island Garden City of Samal, turned back Estanio with his backhand winners en route to bagging his first leg crown at the Praxevilla tennis courts.

“I did all my best to win a crown. Estanio is a good player, so I’m happy to win against him,” said Lopez, who hopes to land a berth in the national squad.

Estanio, however, captured the 16-under diadem as he downed Joshua Masangkay, 10-6, for his sixth title in the circuit backed by Chris Sports, Meralco, Maynilad, Head, the official ball, and Toalson.

In ladies play, Juvilyn Barquin defeated twice Chelsea Gacho to pocket the 18 and 16-under crowns, 10-6, and 10-7, respectively, in the event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association.

Jeleardo Amazona took his third straight title in the boy’s 14-under class as he outplayed Abdulqahar Allian, 10-3, while Leonilyn Domingo won the girl’s 14-under crown over Berlie Buanghug.

Meanwhile, the eighth leg will resume this week in Zamboanga City with hundreds of players vying for top honors in various divisions in the circuit organized to promote junior tennis programs nationwide.