Guarde bags 3 titles in netfest

MANILA, Philippines - Young Carlyn Bless Guarde enhanced her promising tennis career by sweeping three titles in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala presented by Babolat tennis tournament, including the 16-and-under crown, at the Kidapawan City Tennis Club in Cotabato Monday.

The top-seeded Guarde wore down No. 2 Sharyl delos Santos and posted a 2-2 (ret.) win in the 16-U finals to complete a rare feat in the five-day event sanctioned by Philta and hosted by KCTC headed by Ronald Barrios.

Also as top seed, the 11-year-old Guarde clipped No. 2 April Minet Bentillo twice, 4-2, 4-1, and 5-3, 4-2, in the 14- and 12-U finals, respectively, to duplicate Alexie Santos’ three-title feat in Puerto Princesa early this year.

She also led the Sultan Kudarat’s domination of the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and Babolat as John Emmanuel Estrope and Vince Tugade romped off with two titles each.

Estrope won the 18-U crown over Nono Carlo, 4-1, 4-2, and the 16-U plum over Jeric delos Santos, 4-2, 4-0. Tugade took the 14-U title over Jeff Alqueza, 4-2, 4-5(3), 10-8,  and the 12-U diadem over Nicole Gorospe, 4-0, 4- 1.