Koronadal netter stamps class in Gullas Cup
KORONADAL City’s Janus Ringia ended Argao’s John Paul Belikaol’s bid in the JRG Gullas Cup, beating him in the quarterfinals in the Citigreen Tennis Resorts yesterday.
Ringia won three straight matches and to eventually won the Boys 14-Under title.
In the quarterfinals, Ringia defeated Belikaol, the player who is born with no right arm, 6-0, 6-1, to advance to the semifinals.
Ringia then defeated Francis Hidalgo, 6-0, 6-2, and wrapped up his bid with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Gener Francis Lambayan.
“It was my first time to compete against a player with a handicap (Belikaol). Pero dili sad siya kakompyansaan because he is capable of giving strong returns. Nindot sad iyang mga bola. He plays like any regular tennis player with two hands,” said Ringia.
Tough break
Ringia added that what Belikaol showed up, it inspired him to never give up on a dream and although Belikaol may not have reached the finals this time, he has earned the respect of all the players.
“I admired his fighting spirit and his eagerness and drive. I believe layo pa iyang maabtan sa tennis,” said Ringia.
Meanwhile, in the Boys 16-Under division finals, Christopher Encarnacion was rushed to the hospital after losing to Arthur Craig “Iggy” Pantino in their long final match.
Pantino won the match, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1. The three-setter final lasted for an hour and 30 minutes, adding to the fact that it was Encarnacion’s third match for the day as he also competed in the semifinals of the Boys 16 and Boys 18 divisions.
“We suspected that it was due to dehydration but there is no official medical result yet,” said Citigreen Tennis Resorts official Jun Tabura.
He was supposed to play in the Boys 18 final against Pantino after pulling off an upset over No.1 seed Jr. Arguelles in the semifnals, 6-1, 6-4. But because he was taken to the hospital, the title will automatically go to Pantino.