2nd Cebuana Lhuillier netfest on today

CEBU, Philippines - The country’s finest and fast-rising tennis stars return to Cebu for the 2nd Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tournament at Baseline Sports and Recreaction Center beginning today.

At least 25 local netters, including the likes of James and Oswaldo Dumoran, Babaw Tiongko, Kennex Abadia, McLean Baraquias and Ryan Repunte, are all set for today’s qualifying round with high hopes of claiming slots in the main draw.

The 32-man main draw will start on Tuesday yet.

The first 16 slots are occupied by RP’s top-ranked players led by defending champion PJ Tierro and his long-time rival Johnny Arcilla.

Nino Alcantara, the country’s hottest netter at the moment, will also compete and seeks to have a better showing in this PHILTA-sanctioned Group B event before leaving for Europe next year.

Aside from the singles event, there will also be a doubles competition.

The deadline for registration is set at 11 am today to be followed by the drawing of lots. The matches with start at 2 pm.

A total of P204,000 in cash prize is at stake for the top performers. The champion in the men’s singles will take home P40,000, while the champion in the doubles category will pocket P20,000. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)