Lagman wins title in CPA Open netfest

CEBU - Promising Cebuano netter Jacob Lagman recovered from a first-set drawback to defeat Deo Talatayod in their grueling three sets encounter, 6-7, 6-2, 7-5 and grab the boys 14-under title of the 2008 PCA Open Age-Group tennis tournament yesterday at Plaza Dilaw in Manila.

Lagman, who is now with Sacred Heart School-Jesuit, had an easy way to the top, posting an identical 6-1, 6-0 over his first two opponents.

During the penultimate round, Lagman pulled off a 6-3, 6-1 victory to set up a championship date with Deo Talatayod.

It took them two and a half hours to settle the matter as to who is the better player between the two of them.

In the first set, the Palarong Pambansa gold medallist Lagman trailed 1-5, but rallied back to forge a 6-all deadlock. The set-point, however, went to Talatayod.

Lagman bounced back with aplomd in the second set to forge a rubbermatch.

In the deciding set, Talatayod was ahead, 3-0, but Lagman mounted a great comeback to baffle his Manileño opponent in the end.—Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)