VIKES EVERYWHERE VALENCIA WINS LEAGUE DOUBLES TITLE, HAS FIVE MOVING ON.

Byline: Lauren Gustus Staff Writer

They wouldn't so much as look at each other during the crossovers of the Foothill League boys' tennis doubles final, but when it was over, the four Valencia High players smiled for photos together and stepped back into the role they are more comfortable with: teammates.

J.J. Patino and Nick Amico fulfilled their prematch prediction Tuesday at the Burbank Tennis Center, defeating fellow Vikings David Foglesong and Eddie Manio 6-2, 6-3. Patino and Amico have also played in the Nos. 2 and 3 singles spots for the Vikings but lately have been pairing up to play doubles.

``We tried to stay serious,'' Patino said. ``We went out there and acted like it was any other match.''

Patino and Amico used what they knew from playing against Foglesong and Manio in practice to emerge with the straight-set victory. However, Foglesong and Manio also will move on; both the first- and second-place finishers advance to the Southern Section's individual tournament.

Both doubles teams defeated doubles teams from Burbank in semifinal matches earlier in the day to advance to the finals.

``Our doubles teams are playing a lot more confident,'' Valencia coach Annie Kellogg said. ``Our No. 3 team took Burbank to three sets in the first round here. That's good going into the playoffs.''

More Valencia players reached the league finals this year than any other in Kellogg's tenure.

The Vikings' Kevin White lost to Haig Kassabian of Burbank 6-2, 6-3 in the singles final. As the second-place finisher, White will join Amico, Patino, Manio and Foglesong at the individuals, which start May 22.

White was disappointed with his lack of concentration in the finals and perhaps a bit fatigued after he upset Burbank's Hosep Gasamanian 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals.

``I felt like I could beat him if I was more focused,'' White said. ``But I put a lot into the semifinal match.''

Valencia will enter the Southern Section Div. II playoffs as the second- place team from the Foothill League, even though it finished as co-champion with Burbank. Playoff brackets will be announced Monday.

Freshman Matthew Taoatao of Hart finished third after Gasamanian defaulted the consolation match.

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Photo:

Valencia's J.J. Patino (pictured) and Nick Amico defeated teammates Eddie Manio and David Foglesong 6-2, 6-3 to win the Foothill League doubles title.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer