CHAMPION. Fourth seed Josshua Kinaadman (right) and doubles partner Eric Jed Olivarez hold their trophies during the awarding ceremony of the Dagitab Festival National Open Tennis Championship at the City of Naga courts in Cebu on Thursday (Dec. 21, 2023). Kinaadman won the singles title, beating Oivarez, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the finals. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Fourth seed Josshua Kinaadman pulled off a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 upset victory over doubles partner Eric Jed Olivarez to pocket the men's singles title in the Dagitab Festival National Open Tennis Championship at the City of Naga courts in Cebu on Thursday.
Kinaadman, who bagged the PHP60,000 cash prize, also avenged his 7-5, 2-6, 2-6 loss to Olivarez at the Congressman Edward Hagedorn Open in Puerto Princesa, Palawan in August.
Meanwhile, Johnny Arcilla and Rolly Saga defeated Kinaadman and Olivarez, 0-6, 7-6(6), 18-16, in the doubles finals of the PHP330,000 event sponsored by Mayor Val Chiong.
Arcilla and Saga shared the PHP50,000 top prize.
In other results, Ormoc’s Kenzo Brodeth routed local bet Jonathan Largo, 6-1, 6-1, to pocket the boys’ 18-and-under grand slam juniors, while Lapu-Lapu City’s Tiffany Nocos won the girls title over No. 2 Kate Imalay of Bato, Leyte, 6-3, 6-2.
Cebu’s Juvels Velos and Samantha Ortega topped the consolation pool with victories over Nicholas Ocat, 4-1, 4-1, and Donna Diamante, 4-2, 3-5, 11-9, respectively.
Velos and Brodeth later teamed up to secure the 18-and-U boys’ doubles title in the season-ending Group A tournament of the country’s longest-running circuit organized by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.
Other winners were (Classified doubles) Jonito Crisosto and Danny Sajonia (B), Erolito Remedio and Virgilio Vidal (C+), Renante Repunte and Joveno Garcia (C-), and Francis Aclan and Galeos Columbus (D).
Champions in the Legends category were Mark Alcoseba (men’s singles 35s), Celestino Solon (45s), Alcoseba and Noel Salupado (doubles 30s), JD Benitez and Solon (doubles 40s) and Benitez and Elmer Yac (doubles 50s). (PNA)
