Cortes earns third Cebuana tennis title

MANILA, Philippines - Brent Cortes took a third straight 10-and-under unisex crown while Lorraine Grace Barolo copped two titles as the local bets dominated the eighth leg of the Cebuana Lhuillier age-group tennis championship series in Tubod, Lanao del Norte recently.

Cortez reasserted his mastery over Prince Najeeb Langitao, 4-1, 4-1, while Barola bested Ozamiz City’s Carmeville Gervacio, 6-4, 6-3, in the girls’ 16-and-U finals and trounced Nelly Mae Saladaga of Tangub City, 6-3, 6-4, to pocket the 18-and-U title in the event which drew 148 participants.

Other winners in the series hosted by the provincial government of Tubod, Lanao del Norte headed by Gov. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo and backed by Dunlop Sport were Francis Dominic Lanzado from Tangub City, who thwarted Mart Clarence Cabahug, 6-4, 5-7, 10-8, in the 18-and-U finals; Iligan City native Allen Gerry Manlangit, who beat Clyde Maris Casino, 7-6, 6-4, for the 16-and-U crown; and Duma Hakim Boloto, who disposed of Casino in the 14-and-U finals.

Another local bet, Richard Bautista, took the 12-and-U diadem with a 6-4, 5-7, 10-8 win over Jed Las Pinas.

Ashley Balatero overpowered sibling Ulliez Balatero, 6-1, 6-1, to win the girls’ 12-and-U title, while Gervacio took the 14-and-U plum with a 6-0, 6-1 rout of Ma. Patricia Cortes.