S Kudarat stages Palawan jr tennis

MANILA, Philippines - Action in the Palawan Pawnshop President’s ELO Cup Regional age-group tennis circuit resumes next week when Series 57 is held July 11-15 at the Isulan Capitol Tennis Club in Sultan Kudarat.

Minette Bentillo, gold medalist in the recent Palarong Pambansa, headlines the talent-laden field that includes Jazelle Madis, Janus Ringia, Red Directo and Vince EJ Tugade, Nicole Gorospe, Dale Gorospe, Kathlenrey Arandia, Harlyn Getalla, Manuel Antoni Firman, Ma. Angele Novis, Shaira Hope Rivera and Carlyn Bless Guarde.

Rising junior players from Gen. Santos City, M’lang, Davao, Digos, Kabacan, Kidapawan City, Koronadal City, Tupi, Alamada and Tacuron have also confirmed participation in the five-day tournament serving as part of the nationwide youth tennis circuit put up by Philta under president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez and sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop through COO Bobby Castro.

Gov. Teng Mangudadatu is hosting the event which features the boys’ and girls 12-, 14-, 16- and 18-and-under divisions and the 10 unisex category and offers ranking points.

“We are honored to host this tournament again and we guarantee a full-pack field since tennis is very popular here and we have a lot of talented players in Sultan Kudarat waiting to be tapped,” said Mangudadatu.

To accommodate as many entries in the Mindanao leg of the circuit, organizers said registration is free and ongoing. For details, contact Philta referee Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

“It is our commitment to help develop and boost the sport, especially in the countryside and we hope we can discover a lot of future stars from this nationwide circuit,” said Castro.

Other confirmed entries are Cedric Pamplona, Brent Magno, Eric Comendador, Stephen Tubbs, Marco Barrios, Jyle Martinez, John Merwin Estrellado, LJ Mangudadatu, Jeff Alqueza, Ralph Andrei Pamplona and AJ Alejandre.

“This promises to be an interesting tournament, a duel of the top and rising junior players in Mindanao,” said Olivarez.