CEBU, Philippines – Cebuano netters Israel “RJ” Abarquez and Lourelu Mari Alburo make up the list of Singapore’s top 20 contenders in tennis.
Abarquez and Alburo are both rated No.14 in singles and doubles, respectively, based on the latest update by the Singapore Tennis Association.
Abarquez tallied 75 points after his runner-up finish to Philip Hammer in an open tournament at the island city-state last December, while Alburo, a former varsity of the University of San Jose-Recoletos, is also at 14th in women’s doubles with 125 points.
Abarquez, who now works as tennis coach in the so-called Lion City, is currently tied with Siu Fai Kelvin Lam.
His fellow countryman Adelo Abadia tops the rankings with 500 points.
Abarquez hopes to continue his climb up the rankings as he competes in the singles and doubles event of the STA Open next month at the Kallang Tennis Centre. (FREEMAN)