MANILA, Philippines - The young, rising players from Sultan Kudarat take center stage beginning today as action in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age-group 2014 presented by Technifibre resumes at the Isulan Capitol Tennis Club.
Vince Tugade, 12, Minet April Bentillo, 8, and Carlyn Bless Guarde, 12, are expected to lead the local bets’ charge in the four-day tournament, which is making a return to the circuit after staging the Series 57 of the Palawan Pawnshop President’s ELO Cup Regional last July.
The event is also held in line with the 16th Kalimudan Festival celebrations.
But the troika is bracing for a tough outing this time against rivals from Gen. Santos, M’lang, Davao, Digos, Kabacan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tupi, Alamada and Tacurong.
Focus will also be on Shaina Rivera, the 13-year-old find from Monkayo Compostela Valley, who racked up three victories, including the premier girls’ 18-and-under crown, the last time out.
“We expect another banner field since tennis is very popular in Sultan Kudarat and we have a lot of talented players in the province waiting to be tapped,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.
Titles to be disputed in the event, sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Technifibre, also the official ball, and sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association, are the boys’ and girls’ 12-, 14-, 16- and 18-U and the 10-unisex.
“This promises to be an interesting tournament, a duel of the top and rising junior players in Mindanao where we hope to discover a lot of talents,” said Philta chief and Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.