Sacapano, Flores dominate Palawan Capiz netfest

MANILA, Philippines - Young Averille Sacapano sizzled with three victories while Luke Flores bagged two titles as they dominated the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age-group tennis tournament presented by Technifibre at the Vistec, St. Pius and Villa Visaya tennis courts in Capiz, Roxas City yesterday.

Only 12 years old, Sacapano humbled older, taller rivals to sweep the girls’ 14-, 16- and the premier 18-and-under titles in victories that served as a big confidence-boost for the Boracay Island Global Academy standout. She toppled Louise Claire Clavaton twice, 4-1, 4-0, for the 12-U crown, and 4-1, 4-1, for the 14-U diadem before scoring a 4-0 (ret.) win over Marie Abejo in the 18-U finals.

Not to be outdone, Flores, 15, thwarted Mart Fullo, 4-2, 5-3, to clinch the boys’ 18-U crown before the Central Philippine U-Iloilo mainstay overpowered Lorenzo Legaspi to nail the 16-U title in the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and sanctioned by Philta headed by president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

“We commend Palawan Pawnshop for bringing this circuit in Roxas City. Not only did it revive the tennis program here but it also drew a big number of entries from the whole of Panay and nearby provinces and cities, which was very inspiring,” said Vistec president Noel Oloroso.

“The huge turnout in Roxas City continues to motivate us to support and hold this series of ranking tournaments among our youth, especially in the countryside. With the Palawan Pawnshop circuit, we are confident of producing top-notch players in the future,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

Meanwhile, free registration for the next stop in Iloilo City is ongoing. For details, contact the Palawan Pawnshop age-group tennis secretariat at 0915-4046464.

In other results, Al Francis Andrade took the boys’ 14-U plum with a 4-1, 4-0 romp over Mart Alba; Louis Anthony Henderin snared the 12-U diadem with a 4-1, 4-1 rout of John Alpard Bolivar; Anvil Andrea Suace downed Abigail Sacapano, 4-1, 4-2, for the girls’ 12-U crown while Bolivar wore down Jelo Mejia, 4-1, 1-4, 10-2, to capture the 10-unisex title.