CEBU, Philippines - Changmai Necesario, unrated player from the University of the Visayas (UV), emerged as the lone Cebuano gold medallist in the 14th Tru-Flex National Age-Group Tennis Championships, which formally dropped of its curtains yesterday at the Lapu-Lapu City tennis courts.
The Palarong Pambansa-bound Necesario easily dismantled fellow Cebuano player Joshua Kinaadman in staight sets 6-0, 6-1 to lord it over in the boys 18-under division.
Kinaadman also settled for a runner-up finish in the 18-under doubles when he and his partner lost to Marc Norman Enriquez and Clyde Bienes, 3-6, 6-2, 10-8.
On the other hand, actress Cherie Pie Picache’s efforts to be with his son for the whole week here came out very fruitful after Nio Tria Pichace reaped a double championship.
Pichache outsmarted Hong Kong’s Tristan Kwok in the boys12 final, 6-3, 6-4. He and Jacob Martin also won gold in the boys 14 doubles after they beat Cebu’s Cesar Kristofer Salimbangon and Harvey Gilbuena, 6-0,6-1.
Alexandra Eala survived a tough final match against Chu Kei Leung, 5-7, 7-6, 7-5 to rule the unisex 10-under, while Bryan Otico reigned supreme in the boys 14 after edging out Fabien Callaud, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
In the distaff side, Khim Iglupas and Roxanne Mae Resma shared the spotlight after coming up with a title and a runner-up finish each.
Iglupas bagged the girls 16 crowd after outlasting Resma, 6-2, 6-3, but Resma avenged her loss to the former through the girls 18 class, 6-2, 6-2.
The Hong Kong-based Sri Lankan Adithya Karunarante stole part of the spotlight after sweeping the girls 14 and 11 age group with victories over Angela Cabaral and Carlyn Bless Guarde, respectively. (FREEMAN)