Tabura, Largo march into semis of Cebuana Lhuillier tennis

CEBU, Philippines – Aaron Kevin Tabura and Mitch Largo became the first Cebuano netters to make it to the semifinal round of the 10th Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group Tennis Tournament-Cebu leg yesterday at the CitiGreen Resort in Punta Princesa, this city.

The seven year-old Tabura, a grandson of one of Cebu's most decorated coaches Fritz Tabura, advanced to the semifinal round of the unisex 10-under after a thrilling 4-1, 0-4, 5-3 victory over Francis Plopenio Jr.

Tabura was extra motivated to win the game after losing his first round assignment in the boys 12 division to Ralph Adrian Selmar, 6-1, 6-4.

For her part, Mitch Largo had an easy win also in the unisex 10-under against Chad Connor Cuizon, 4-0, 4-2, to claim the semis berth.

Selmar could only made it up to the second round after losing to Heinz Aslan Carbonilla, 0-6, 0-6.   Rainer Angelo Selmar, however, made sure not to suffer the same defeat as his brother after pulling away a 7-5, 6-2 win against Pete Harly Liquit.

Harland Hogan joins Carbonilla and Selmar to the next round after defeating Richard Milgo, 6-1, 6-1.

Carbonilla also made it to the semis after a flawless, 4-0, 4-0, win over Jeb Sleyther Secusana.

In the boys 18, Jose Maria Pague also made it to the quarterfinal round after posting a 6-3,6-4 victory against Bohol's Russel Cero at the Pardo Tennis Court

Kevin Paul Borja outsmarted Jace Christian Unto, 6-0, 6-4 while Vince Tugade ousted Randy Labor, 6-2, 6-0 as Duma Hakim Boloto had a hard-earned 6-1,2-6, 10-4 triumph against Marc Pradel.

Boloto also won his second round match of the boys 16 against Charlie Cabranilla, 6-2, 6-0 at Alta Vista Golf and Country Club. He will be joined by Clyde Mari Casino who beat Richard Bautista, 7-5, 6-7, 10-6.

Cebuano Francis Hidalgo, Jude Balondo, and Ibarra Ortega also stands still in the boys 16 after Hidalgo won against Francis Navales, 6-0, 6-1 as Balundo had a thrilling victory with John Steven Sonsona, 6-2, 4-6, 10-6. (FREEMAN)