Their hometown was jolted by a powerful earthquake just three weeks ago.
But despite the challenges brought by the tragedy, life goes on for the promising young tennis players from the City of Bogo in northern Cebu
Never losing sight of their dreams, Jhunreal Anthony Espinosa, Etha Nadine Seno, and Everett Enzo Niere gave their fellow Bogohanons something to be happy about during tough times after emerging as champions in the highly successful 24th Gullas Tennis Cup last October 17-20 at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club in Barangay Pardo and Citigreen Tennis Resort in Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City.
Espinosa edged past Andrian Rodriguez, 6-4, 6-4, to reign supreme in the boys 16 Under category, Seno upended Danica Diamante, 6-3, 6-2 to claim the girls 14 Under crown, while Niere dominated Dale Diamante, 4-0, 4-0 to clinch the 10 Under unisex title.
Niere’s older brothers Everett Gil and Everett Pete also reached the championship round, albeit on the losing end.
Gil settled for the silver medal in the boys 14 Under after falling prey to Xian Wynn Calagos of Baybay City, Leyte, 6-0, 6-4, in the same way with Pete, who bowed down to James Andrio Estrella of Asturias, 6-1, 6-2, in the boys 12 Under final.
Cebu’s other top bets in Juvels Velos, Samantha Chloe Ortega, and Trisha Loren Nocos also had their fair share of the limelight.
The Danao City-native Velos outsmarted Kristian John Kilat, 7-5, 6-1 to lord it over in the boys 18 Under, while Ortega, who hails from the municipality of Tuburan, ruled the distaff side after surviving a three-set thriller against Thea Mae Castro, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4.
Not to be outdone, Nocos from Lapu-Lapu City whipped Xyza Wynn Calagos, 6-3, 6-2, to top the girls 12 Under.
In the other result, Kathlyn Ann Bugna from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental slammed Donna Mae Diamante in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0 to secure the girls 16 Under tiara.