MANILA, Philippines - Kiana De Asis racked up two victories while Alekzander Fern Po captured the 10-unisex crown as they led the winners in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age-group 2014 presented by Technifibre at the Center Court, Monta and Manville Tennis Courts in Bacolod City yesterday.
The top-seeded De Asis, of PTA-La Carlota, rebounded from a second set defeat to frustrate No. 6 Valerie Desoyo, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0, to pocket the girls’ 14-and-under crown then repulsed Shyryn Salazar, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-1, in the 12-U finals to complete a golden double in the five-day tournament held in line with the city’s celebration of the Masskara Festival and sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop.
The second-ranked Po stunned top seed and fellow PTA-Bacolod standout Pete Andre Rodriguez, 5-3,4-1, to snare the 10-unisex plum but fell short of his bid for a double after losing to John Rich Dejilla, 6-0, 6-1, in the 12-U finals of the event sanctioned by Philta headed by president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez with Technifibre as the official ball.
Toni Rose Raymundo matched De Asis two-title romp, routing PTA-La Carlota teammate Tracy Llamas, 6-0, 6-0, for the 16-U plum and downing
Valerie Desoyo of RSB Carlota under Capt. Elmer Aries, 6-3, 6-0, for the premier 18-U diadem in the event that drew a record field of 250 players from Bacolod and nearby cities and provinces, including the NCR.
“This is a worthwhile project by Palawan Pawnshop, which made history here by drawing a record number of participants from Negros Occidental and Oriental, Panay Island, Davao, Bicol, Manila and Cebu,” said Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella. “We hope this will inspire other sponsors and organizers to put up such big tournaments to further boost tennis in the country.”
The Manila-based Suarez bros, meanwhile, split top honors with Stefan overpowering upset-conscious Bryan Bayking of San Carlos City, 6-1, 6-0, to claim the boys’ 18-U crown and Justin taking the 16-U title with a 6-1, 6-3 romp over unranked Ryle Joseph Singson, also from San Carlos City.
PTA-La Carlota’s Karl Baran trounced Iloilo’s Edmarl Casiple, 6-2, 6-3, to annex the boys’ 14-U plum in the event that drew a record field of 250 players from Bacolod and nearby cities and provinces, including the NCR.
“This is what the Palawan Pawnshop tennis circuit is all about – to provide top-level tournaments for our young players and discover as many as new talents as possible,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.
Meanwhile, the next leg will be held Oct. 17-20 at the Roxas City Vistec Tennis Club with Iloilo hosting the next stop on Oct. 24-28 at Iloilo LaPaz Tennis Club. For details, contact the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala secretariat at 0915-4046464.