Santos, Flores rule Palawan netfest

MANILA, Philippines - Alexie Santos re-staked her claim as one of the rising stars of junior tennis as she completed another three-title romp in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age-group tennis circuit at the Consolacion Tennis Club in Laray, Cebu over the weekend.

The Puerto Princesa bet, 14, toppled Mae Alferez, 6-4, 6-0, to capture the 18-and-under crown then as No. 5 dominated top seed Patricia Velez, 6-0, 6-1, in the 14-and-U finals before holding off Mae Bornia, 7-5, 6-2, to bag the 16-and-U title where she was one of the unranked players.

The string of victories came after she racked up the same titles in the Palawan and Mactan legs of the nationwide circuit presented by Technifibre and sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop through COO Bobby Castro, putting her among the top prospects for future national teams.

“Alexie’s feats should not go unnoticed. With proper training and exposure, she will be surely a big help to our future national teams,” said Castro.

Central Phl U-Iloilo’s Luke Flores, meanwhile, overpowered Nathan Songco, 6-3, 6-1, to nail the boys’ 16-and-U title although the latter, also from Puerto Princesa, foiled the 15-year-old bet’s bid for a double as he copped the 18-U plum with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.

Francis Lambayan of Cebu clipped Venz Alforque, 6-1, 6-1, to bag the boys 14-U diadem while Alforque, from Naga City, took the 12-U crown with a tough 6-4, 7-5 win over Joshua Torres, and John David Velez of Davao City beat Ceasar Salimbangon, 6-2, 6-4, to pocket the 100-unisex crown in the event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association headed by Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

Top seed Averille Sacapano, from Sunset-Boracay, downed No. 2 Anica Cari, 6-2, 6-4, to clinch the girls’ 12-U title.

“This circuit hopes to produce more Santos and Flores that’s why we’re holding tournaments even in far-flung provinces. We thank Palawan Pawnshop for supporting our continuing effort to expand the base of tennis talents,” said Olivarez.