Rivera cops two titles in Palawan Tunafest tennis

MANILA, Philippines - Shaira Hope Riviera came away with a twinkill in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Tuna Festival 2014, winning the 16- and 18-and-Under crowns in the age-group section at the Gen. Santos City courts in Gen. Santos City last Tuesday.

Rivera, the 14-year-old find from Monkayo Compostela Valley, scored a 6-2, 2-6, (ret.) win over Sharyl delos Santos to clinch the 16-U crown then overpowered Patricia Velez, 6-1, 6-2, to annex the premier 18-U championship in the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Padala and hosted by Gen. Santos City with Technifibre as official ball.

Carlyn Bless Guarde outsteadied Velez, 7-5, 7-6(7), to snatch the 14-U plum while Ma. Angelica Novis dominated April Bentillo, 6-3, 6-1, in the 12-U final of the tournament held as part of Gen. Santos City’s Tuna Festival celebration.

Jeric delos Santos subdued Brylle Chatto, 6-3, 6-3, to cop the boys’ 18-U title while top seed Abson John Alejandre took the 16-U plum with a 6-1, 6-3 romp over Stephen Tubbs.

Ranked as top seed, Tubbs clipped Klyde Lagarde, 6-1, 6-4, to bag the 14-U diadem, while No. 1 Mark Alfred Directo routed John David Velez, 6-2, 6-2, to win the 12-U title.

Bentillo atoned for her failed bid in the girls’ 12-U final, edging John Velez, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(9), to clinch the 10-unisex crown in the event which served as the side event the men’s Open singles tournament won by PJ Tierro.

“Palawan Pawnshop and Technifibre have been in the forefront of tennis development for years and we will continue putting up top-level tournaments to inspire our young players to achieve a higher level of play,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

Meanwhile, the Mindanao swing of the nationwide regional age-group circuit goes to Koronadal City tomorrow before Kidapawan hosts the next stop on Sept. 19-22. M’lang will stage the next event on Sept. 26-29 in Palawan Pawnshop’s continuing effort to give the young players and enthusiasts from the countryside a chance to play in top-level tournaments.