Abarquez beats Quiñones in Maasin City finals

ISRAEL “Rj” Abarquez reclaimed his dominance in the 3rd  Maasin City Lawn Tennis Cup 2012  yesterday.

The 19-year-old Abarquez, who is the top player in Cebu in the men’s open, beat former Cebu standout Michael Quiñones, 6-3, 6-3 to win the title.

“This is a very long overdue retaliation. I lost to Quiñones about five to four years ago in one of the major tournaments in Cebu. It was our first match. I wasn’t able to avenge my loss because he left for Qatar for work. This time, I took the opportunity and played my best and finally won but it was not an easy win for me,” said Abarquez.

Abarquez won the first Maasin title in 2010 against his University of San Jose-Recoletos teammate Kennex Abadia but lost it in 2011 against Mclain Baraquias of  Dumaguete City.

Abarquez made the finals after beating Warren Alivio, 6-1, 6-0, and Illac Tabura, 6-1, 6-1, in the first two rounds. He beat John Villa in the semifinals, while Quiñones beat Amil Ayay, 6-1, 6-2, in the other semis.

“I consider my finals today as memorable because I was able to beat  Cebu’s former top player,” said Abarquez, who is from Carcar City.

Abarquez also added that this year, he aims to improve his national ranking, which is currently at no. 13, and break the top 10 barrier.