Abdulqoahar tops Koronadal age group tennis

MANILA, Philippines - Mindanao’s rising tennis ace Allian Abdulqoahar dominated the Koronadal second leg of 14th Smart Presents the HEAD 2012 junior national Tennis Age-Group Satellite Circuit by winning the boys’ singles 18 and 16-under class titles yesterday in Koronadal City.

Showing his might and tremendous forehand attacks, the 15-year-old Abdulqoahar outplayed Mikko Ringia in the championship round of the boys’ 18-under division, 10-7, to win the crown of the 64-day tournament supported by Smart, Chris Sports, HEAD, Maynilad, Meralco and Toalson.

“I needed to get back and win here (in Koronadal) after I came out empty-handed in the first leg (Davao),” said the Zamboanga City native Abdulqoahar. “Mikko (Ringia) was tough, so I needed to be consistent on my attacks and serves.”

Abdulqoahar also met Ringia in the boys’ 16-under division finals where he won with a convincing 10-5 score that earned him two crowns in the prestigious junior satellite tournament which provides ranking points to all winners.

Top seed Nikkirey Arandia ruled the girls’ 18-under division with a close 10-8 victory over Percian Eve Rivera, while top seed Jzash Canja captured the girls’ 16-under diadem by beating also Percian Eve Rivera, 10-8.

In the boys’ 14-under championship, second seed Jaffary Cariga bashed Jeric Delos Santos, 10-7, to win the crown, while No. 1 Sharyl Delos Santos defeated Alliah Raguntol, 10-3, for the girls’ 14-under division of the 120-player tournament.