Seno bags 14-under crown in Philta-Palawan age group

CEBU’s fast rising junior netter Jan Godfrey Seno dropped the upset axe on no. 2 Fernando Arguelles, 6-0, 6-3 to secure the 14-under boys’ title in the Philta-Palawan Pawnshop National Championship at the Gov. Socrates Tennis Club, Puerto Princessa, Palawan.

The 13-year-old Seno of the University of San Carlos north campus was the only Cebuano to win a title as two others suffered contrasting fates.

“This is the third time that I have faced Arguelles in the finals and every time we play, I always play my best and never get too complacent, “ Seno said.

Second seed Sally Mae Siso, Cebu’s top female junior netter, could have won a title after making the finals of the 18-under division with a 6-2, 6-0 rout of Alexie Santos. However, she lost to Mia Balce by default.

Tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay said Siso joined a familiarization tour at the underground river together with 80 percent of the players as part of the organizer’s objective of promoting not only the sport but as well as the tourist spots in Palawan.

However, when they returned back to the city for their afternoon games, the group of Siso came in an hour late for their scheduled games, and the other finalist refused to give way.

“The Balce family refused to adjust the schedule and wanted to stick with the scheduled final game, and we cannot argue against that,” Mangunay said.

Jana Pages, the third Cebuano to make the finals, retired in the 14-Under girls division against Alexi Santos.