Cruspero, Morris post three-title haul

Alexa Cruspero and Matthew Morris turned the Governor’s Cup Juniors Tennis Championships into a showcase of their versatility, sweeping two singles crowns and one doubles title each as the Group 2 tournament wrapped up Sunday at the Capitol Tennis Courts in Siquijor.

Cruspero saved her toughest battle for last.

After cruising through her first three matches, the top-seeded Cruspero had to dig deep into her arsenal — and keep her composure — to outlast a stubborn Etha Seno, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, in a gripping girls’ 16U final that could have gone either way.

Cruspero came through with timely shots and clutch returns in the decider to deny Seno and claim the 16U crown. She then completed her singles double by beating doubles partner Mercy Pinili, 6-3, 6-2, in the 18U final.

Morris matched Cruspero’s feat, ruling both the boys’ 16U and 18U divisions before teaming up with Hazer Malicay to capture the 18U doubles title.

Morris survived Xian Calagos, 7-6(2), 2-1(ret.), to take the 16U crown, then produced a far more emphatic finish in the premier division, blanking doubles partner Malicay, 6-0, 6-0, for the 18U title.

Cruspero and Morris later capped their respective three-title feats by joining Pinili and Malicay, respectively, in winning the 18U doubles championships in the tournament presented by Dunlop and staged under the Palawan Pawnshop nationwide talent search.

Their Most Valuable Player performances highlighted a busy week of tennis in Siquijor, which hosted the Governor’s Cup for the first time through the initiative of Gov. Jake Villa. The province also staged the inaugural Governor’s Cup Open, where Eric Jay Tangub emerged champion.