Longoria defeats Laime to win 2023 LPRT Battle at the Alamo

Paola Longoria defeated Brenda Laime, 15-7, 15-3, to win the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 2023 Battle at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday. Longoria’s win helps her in the race to be #1 at the end of the season. She’s been the #1 LPRT player for 13 seasons, including the last 10 consecutive.

Longoria played well in the final, and in playing well, it took away Laime’s opportunities to counter-punch, which is as aspect of her game that Laime usually does very well.

Longoria may also have not felt much pressure against Laime, who as the 11th seed, isn’t one of the strongest players on tour. Laime did beat Longoria last season, but that’s likely more motivation for Longoria to ensure a loss wasn’t going happen again on Saturday.

The win is Longoria’s 3rd of the season, but first since the US Open in October. Montserrat Mejia has won the last four LPRT events, and she is the threat to stop Longoria’s #1 ranking streak. But Mejia lost in the quarterfinals in San Antonio, so she may need to win the last two events to have a chance to finish #1.

Mejia won’t have to wait long to try to win another LPRT event, as the LPRT will be in action next weekend at the Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina, May 4-7, 2023. The 2022-23 LPRT season will end with the LPRT at the Beach tournament in Chesapeake, Maryland, June 15-17, 2023.

Other divisions

In what was a bit of surprise, Carla Muñoz and Alan Natera won the Mixed Doubles title. They were seeded 3rd, and upset top seeds Maria Jose Vargas and Alejandro Landa in the final, 15-13, 15-13.

In the semi-finals, Muñoz and Natera defeated 10th seeds Laime and Marcelo Vargas Aguilar, 13-15, 15-12, 11-7. Laime and Vargas Aguilar got to the semis by knocking off 2nd seeds Holly Scott and Daniel De La Rosa in the quarterfinals.

In the other semi, Vargas and Landa beat Erika Manilla and Erik Garcia, 15-5, 15-9.

Valeria Centellas defeated Annie Roberts, 15-9, 15-4, to win the LPRT U21 division. In the semi-finals, Centellas, the top seed, beat 4th seed Camila Rivero, 15-8, 15-10, and 2nd seed Roberts beat 3rd seed Martina Katz, 15-3, 15-4.

If you missed any of the action from San Antonia, go to the LPRT YouTube channel.

2023 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas - April 27-29, 2023

Final - Saturday

1) Paola Longoria d. 11) Brenda Laime, 15-7, 15-3

LPRT U21 Singles - Final - Saturday

1) Valeria Centellas d. 2) Annie Roberts, 15-9, 15-4

LPRT U21 Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Valeria Centellas d. 4) Camila Rivero, 15-8, 15-10
2) Annie Roberts d. 3) Martina Katz, 15-3, 15-4

Mixed Doubles - Final - Saturday

1) Maria Jose Vargas & Alejandro Landa v. 3) Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera, 15-13, 15-13

Mixed Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Maria Jose Vargas & Alejandro Landa d. 4) Erika Manilla & Erik Garcia, 15-5, 15-9
3) Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera d. 10) Brenda Laime & Marcelo Vargas Aguilar, 13-15, 15-12, 11-7

Follow the bouncing ball….