Twin triumphs snap Abdulqahar drought

MANILA—Promising junior netter Allian Abdulqahar finally took home a leg title—two, in fact—in the Smart-Head 13th Junior Tennis Satellite Circuit 2011 age-group national tour San Pablo leg recently at the Alina tennis center in San Pablo City.

Abdulqahar, 13, pulled off an astonishing 10-8 upset against Rogelio Estanio Jr. in the boy’s 16-and-under division to capture his first title in the 70-day 13th leg national circuit.

“I guess [Estanio] is tired of winning,” said Abdulqahar, who came up short most of the time during the early legs. “I capitalized on the opportunities. Estanio is really a great and talented player.”

Abdulqahar blanked Ernesto Gatdula, 10-0, to win also the boy’s 14-under crown for his second title in San Pablo.

Estanio Jr. outlasted Miguel Belda, 10-5, in the finals to take home the boy’s 18-under title while the girls’ 18 crown was won by Andrea Regino who defeated Catherine Padilla, 10-7.

Padilla, though, rebounded in the girls’ 16-under class by subduing Ma. Dominique Ong, 10-2, to capture the title.