Manduriao-Espinosa tandem tops PSC-Philta 18-U doubles tourney

ERIKA MANDURIAO and Hannah Espinosa fought tooth and nail against the tandem of Ma. Dominique Ong and Isabella Mendoza before the former managed to escape with a hard-earned and nail-biting 8-7 (5) victory to capture the championship title of the 18-Under Girls doubles in the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Tennis Association’s National Age Group tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila.

It was the second title for Manduriao in the Philta Group 1 tilt after she collared the 18-Under Girls tiara recently with a finals win against Ong.

Jose Nicolas Cano and Marcen Gonzales also paired off successfully as they blasted the tandem of Jeleardo Amazona and Jerome Romualdez to snag the Boys Under-18 Doubles championship title.

Gabby Zoleta and Ibiza Perez also had a fruitful pairing as they outclassed the team of Julia Ignacio and Kim Penaflor, 8-0, to take home the championship title of the 14-Under Girls Doubles, while Cenon Gonzales, Jr. and Manuel Balce III prevailed over the Team Ignacio of Jerome and Aidyll, 8-5, to walk away with the Boy’s 14-Under crown.

The Gonzales-Balce team barged into the final round after trouncing the duo of Adrian Encanares and John Sarabillo, 8-5, in their semis match up.

Harold Trillanes and Rafael Liangco for their part, were crowned kings of the 10-Under Unisex division after they blacked out the Jude Hidalgo-Railey Banaag team, 8-0, in the year-ending tilt. /Correspondent JADE S. VIOLETA