Hannah Espinosa grabs Cebu's lone gold medal in Smart-Head netfest

CEBU, Philippines - Hannah Espinosa became Cebu's saving brace after topping the girls 18-under division of the Smart-Head Junior Satellite Circuit National Age-Group Tournament 2012 yesterday at the Cebu International Tennis Centre, Inc. (CITCI) courts in Laray, Consolacion.

Espinosa became the lone Cebuana gold medallist in the week-long tournament after she bested the visiting Erika Manduriao, 6-2, 7-5, in their final encounter.

Espinosa, a former varsity player from the University of the Visayas (UV) who is now with the National University in Manila, needed an hour and 30 minutes to get rid of the gritty Manduriao.

The fast-rising Jana Pages, for her part, could only produce a silver after bowing to Alexie Santos of Palawan, 4-6, 6-2, 10-5 in a three-set thriller under the girls 16-under category.

After a short rest, Santos went on to crush another Cebuana bet Zethley Mae Alferez to lord it over in trhe girls 14 age group.

Alexie's brother Sebastian Santos duplicated his sister's winning ways, beating Cesar Kristofer Salimbangon in lopsided fashion, 6-1, 6-1 to claim the unisex 10-under crown.

The Ringia siblings Janus and Mikko from  South Cotabato also stole part of limelight. Janus clinched the boys 12 title after slamming Vince Alforque, 6-1, 6-2, while Mikko ruled the boys 14 class by default over a no-show Justin Flores.

Janus actually had a double victory as he and Feb Wendell Deja triumped in in the boys 14 doubles event.

Mikko, on the other hand, also had a silver medal in the boys 16 after retiring from his championship match against Jeleardo Amazona of Davao.

Amazona also reigned supreme in the boys 18 category after surviving a super-tie breaker against Cebu's Francis Parangan, 2-6, 6-4, 10-4.

Carlyn Guarde of Sultan Kudarat completed the champion's list after she edged out Cristella Marie Sampan, 6-1, 6-1 to snatch the girls 12 diadem. (FREEMAN)