Palawan tennis resumes in Bacolod

MANILA, Philippines - The Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age group tennis circuit presented by Tecnifibre caps its two-leg Bacolod swing beginning today with another huge field slugging it out for top honors at the Center Court Tennis Club.

Luke Flores of Iloilo City and top local bet Toni Rose Raymundo are expected to lead the cast again in the Group 3 tournament after the duo nailed two victories each in the 16- and 18-and-under divisions in last week’s kickoff leg of the 29-stage circuit in La Carlota.

But they are expected to face stiff resistance from a slew of others out to prove their worth in the four-day tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and Technifibre and sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association.

“We expect another spirited battle for top honors, not only in the premier division but also in other categories, guaranteeing another slam-bang action among our young, rising players,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

Other events on tap are the 10-unisex, 12-, 14- and 16-and-under divisions for boys and girls. For details, contact Philta referee Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

“Palawan Pawnshop’s partnership with Technifibre is a big boost to Phl tennis and we will continue providing our youth top-notch tournaments like this,” said Philta president and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez. “This tournament will surely inspire our young players to achieve a higher level of play.”

Others expected to go for repeat are PTA-Bacolod’s Fern Alekzander Po, who reigned in the 10-unisex, brother Fernando Ceasar Po and Shyryn Salazar from PTA-Carlota, who ruled the 12-and-U classes, and 14-and-U winners Valerie Desoyo and Karl Baran.

From Bacolod, the circuit goes to Dumaguete City for the third leg on Feb. 7-10 before Bohol takes its turn to stage the tour on Feb. 14-17 at the Ubay Tennis Club.

Los Baños will host the next leg on Feb. 21-24 at the College Country Club for the first of five new tournaments lined up for the year as part of Philta and Palawan Pawnshop’s commitment to give all young players a chance to showcase their talent and skills in competitive play.