Perez cops 2 HEAD Jr. Cebu leg titles

MANILA, Philippines - Zethley Mae Perez led all winners in the seventh leg of 16th HEAD 2014 Junior satellite circuit national tennis annual age-group tournament Visayas region recently after taking home two titles at the Consolacion tennis courts in Cebu.

Perez, a native of Cebu, showed her relentless form to grab the girls’ 16 and 14-under singles crowns of the satellite junior tennis competition supported by Smart Communications, Smart Sports, Chris Sports, HEAD Graphene, Toalson and HEAD, the official tennis ball.

The 14-year-old Perez clinched the 16-under title by beating second seed Shyne Villareal in the finals, 6-1, 6-2, and then ripped second seed  Carlyn Bless Guarde in the finals of 14-under class, 6-4, 6-2, to win both trophies.

A one-arm Cebuano tennis 14-year-old player identified as John Paul Balikaol, meanwhile, captured the hearts of all spectators for giving his best in the boys’ 14-under singles division despite not winning any title in the Cebu leg, the last of the Visayas region.

“I’m not bothered of who am I. What important is I can play my favorite sport which is tennis,” said Balikaol, who entered to the quarterfinal round but lost to Rey Toledo. “I really appreciate all the supports given to me by HEAD and Chris Sport. I will be back.”

Balikaol, who have a single arm birth defect, also expressed his desire to represent the country in the Para Olympic games and Para Games soon.

“It is so heartwarming to see all these junior heroes’ dedication to the sport of tennis,” said Arleen Lindo of Chris Sports. “Even more touching to see all the parents diligently taking care of all the kids in every need for the competition.”

“These are all inspiring stories that all other families can draw motivation from  in pursuit of their  dreams of their choice sport.”

Francis Lambayan conquered the boys’ 14-under singles division by crushing Joshua Regino in finals, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 6-2, while Alyssa Bornia captured the girls’ 18-under singles title by defeating Shyne Villareal in championship round, 6-3, 6-0.

In other finals results, Christopher Encarnacion took home the boys’ 16-under singles title after beating Mathew Crisosto in the finals, 6-4, 6-2, while Venz Alforque won over Curt Justin Salinas in the boys’ 12-under finals, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, for the crown.

Stephanie Crisosto beat Lyra Mae Repollo in the girls’ 12-under finals, 7-6 (3), 6-4, for the crown, while John David Velez whipped Cesar Salimbangon, 6-3, 5-7, 6-0, for the 10-under unisex crown.   

The Luzon leg will start in Baguio City this week under the supervision of Philippine Tennis Association Regional Vice President Juanito Cansino.