Damian rules 18-U Smart-Head crown

MANILA, Philippines - Zamboanga native Noel Damian made his presence felt at his own hometown to cop two titles in the 14th Smart-Head junior national Tennis Age-Group Satellite Circuit’s fourth leg in Zamboanga City over the weekend.

Damian, 14, unleashed a strong backhand to whip Koronadal leg double champion Allian Abdulqoahar in the finals, 7-5, 6-3, and gain the boys’ 18-under title of the 64-day tournament supported by Smart Communications, Chris Sports, Head, Meralco, Maynilad and Toalson.

“It just happened that my timing was too good,” said Damian, a former champion in the Zambolympics three years ago. “Allian (Abdulqoahar) is so competitive because of his height and long reach, but I never got intimidated. I just played my usual game.”

He defeated the top seed Abdulqoahar in the boys’ 16-under class, 6-2, 6-2, to pocket his second crown in the event supported by Noel Lorenzana, the Smart Division head for wireless consumer, and sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association.