Hidalgo steals show at start of Cebuana Lhuillier net

CEBU, Philippines – Playing in two venues one game after the other wasn't a problem for University of the Visayas varsity Francis Hidalgo as he went on to post back-to-back wins in separate categories at the start of the 10th Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group Tennis Tournament-Cebu leg yesterday.

Hidalgo's first stop was the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club where he opened his campaign in the boys 16-under division with a 6-2, 6-3 trouncing of Randy Labor. Moments later, Hidalgo proceeded to Pardo Tennis Club and notched another victory opposite Elmar Christian Lagat via super tie-break, 6-3, 4-6, 10-8, this time in the boys 18-under class.

However, there's no room for Hidalgo to celebrate as he faces the equally-tough Norman Joseph Enriquez in the next round of the 18-under bracket. Enriquez and Zamboanga's Jose Maria Pague both won their first games by default.

The top-seeded Jan Godfrey Seno and Bohol's Russel Cero joined them into the next round. Seno handily beat Ralph Daryl Alcordo, 6-0, 6-3, while Cero blasted Dale Estonillo, 6-1, 6-2.

In the 16-under age group played at Alta Vista, Hidalgo marched into the second round along with Jude Carl Balundo, John Steven Sonsona, Francis Navales and Ibarra Ortega.

Balundo outsmarted John Paul Borja, 6-4, 6-2, Sonsona subdued Francis Adrian Rosales, 6-3, 6-0, Navales pulled off a hard-earned 6-7, 7-5, 10-3 win over Uzziel Keane Pepito, while Ortega overpowered Raphael Dominic Merced, 6-0, 6-2.

On the other hand, Duma Hakkim Boloto and Clyde Mari Casino vaulted into the third round after prevailing over Matthew Derence Gullem (6-3, 6-0) and Marvin Loayon (6-1, 6-0), respectively.

Borja and Pepito though still had something to be happy about after Borja silenced Louise Soon, 6-0, 6-1 and Pepito triumphed by forfeiture over John Kenneth Tenepre in the boys 14-under at CitiGreen Tennis Resort.

In the other boys 14 matches, Eric John Longakit rolled past Rainer Angelo Selmar via super tiebreak, 3-6, 7-6(2), 10-4, Miguel Binghay bested Leandrey Albofera, 6-1, 6-3 and Harland Hogan upstaged Pete Harly Liquit, 7-6, 6-4. (FREEMAN)