In a tight match, Dela Cruz outscored Isuka, 8-6, winning the championship title of the tournament.
With similar approach to their craft, both Dela Cruz and Isuka took care of their baseline most of the time; leaving only their territory upon seeing a weak opening in each other’s court.
The single set tennis match, witnessed Dela Cruz containing Isuka’s deflected shots.
In some point instances, Isuka’s attempt to slice and drop his shot at the net resulted only in forced errors, giving Dela Cruz a good chance of claiming the match point.
Banking on Isuka’s forced errors, Dela Cruz engaged in attacking the net at times when Isuka seemed far from responding to his shots.
In the end, the Dela Cruz-Isuka match turned out to be a battle not of skills, but of determination and perseverance.
In the quarterfinal round, Dela Cruz won against Adel Hudkins, 8-3.
He beat Morris Villanueva, 8-1, in the semifinals.
In Level 2 category, Kevin Rhee reigned as champion over Sakura Imaya after crafting 8-3 score in a single set.
In the battle under Level 1, Tiffany Madlambayan beat airi Hatamata, 6-3.
Clayton Isuka, Alfie Madlambayan, and Seung Jae Kim, were given the Sportsmanship Award.
According to Coach Peter B. Loyola, coordinator and organizer of the said tennis event, 31 junior players joined the tournament.
Loyola expressed appreciation to all sponsors who made the tournament a success.
The recent junior tennis championship was organized under the Northern Marianas Islands Tennis Association.
Loyola said the event will serve as a tune-up tournament for the upcoming NMITA Fall Classic in November.
