Gonzales brods rule nat’l age-group tennis

Brothers Cenon and Marcen Gonzales displayed fierce forms in ruling their respective divisions yesterday in the fifth PSC-Philta National age-group tennis tournament at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The 17-year-old Marcen bested Chris Justin Prulla, 6-3, 6-2, to claim the premier boys 18-under championship, while 15-year-old Cenon routed Justin Suarez, 6-3, 6-1, to annex the 16-under crown.

Both high school students at Ateneo de Manila, the Gonzales brothers thus capped the year which saw them win several age-group tournaments around the country.

On the way to the crown, Cenon booted out Noah Ramos, Jose San Buenaventura, Lee Yoon-Hak and Jerome Romualdez, while Marcen left a trail of fallen campaigners that included Justin Suarez, Vincent Alanis and Alester Magalit.

They are expected to rise in the national ranking after earning points in the event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Tennis Association.

Frances Santiago captured the girls 16-under with a hard-earned 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win over Rafaella Villanueva. It was battle of wits between the two fourteen-year-olds as they battle for supremacy in an age division beyond their age.

Top seed Mikaela Vicencio reigned supreme in the girls 14-under with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 triumph over second seed Miles Vitaliano. Later, Alexandra Eala held sway in girls 12-under after beating Vitaliano, 6-1, 6-3.

Boys 12-under top pick Aljohn Talotayod dominated second seed Jan Harold Trillanes, 6-3, 6-0, to win the category without dropping a set.

In 10-under unisex, top seed Miguel Vicencio bested Samuel Naguit, 5-3, 3-4, 4-2, for the crown.

Third seed Jed Labasano completed a come-from-behind victory after beating second seed Stefan Lhuillier, 6-3, 6-2, for the boys 14-under top honor. Labasano made the final with a 7-5, 6-3 upset of No. 1 pick Marcus del Rosario.