PPS-PEPP tunafest junior tennis under way in GenSan

MANILA, Philippines - Action in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age group presented by Technifibre resumes today with the leading junior players and a host of upcoming stars from Mindanao slugging it out for top honors in various divisions at the Gen. Santos City Tennis Club in Gen. Santos City.

Local aces Klyde Lagarde and Sharyl delos Santos banner the field in the Group 3 tournament, which drew players from Davao, Malita, Kidapawan, Koronadal, M’Lang, Sultan Kudarat, Tacurong, Digos, Pikit and Glan.

The four-day event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop caps the two-week Tunafest tennis series, which also saw Johnny Arcilla redeem himself from a failed bid in the Olivarez Open with a victory in the men’s side and Khim Iglupas completing back-to-back title romps in women’s play.

The young turks, however, take center stage this week with Nicole Bautista from Malita and Davao’s Rachel Velez heading the cast in the premier girls’ section along with Minette Bentillo from Sultan Kudarat and Delos Santos.

Jarel Edangga and BG Chatto of Glan, on the other hand, lead the boys’ 18-U cast, which includes Kenneth Belima and Koronadal’s LJ Mangudadatu while Janus Ringia of Koronadal, Vince Tugade, Cyrin Martinez and Ramon Bentillo are tipped to crowd for the 16-U diadem.

“It’s going to be another unpredictable week for these young players who will not be clashing for top honors but also for ranking points,” said Philta president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, who also cited Palawan Pawnshop’s commitment to support the country’s junior tennis program.

Velez also headlines the cast in the 16-U division along with Malita’s Nicole Bautista, Chea Caballero and Danna Abad while Minette Bentillo, Abad, Ma. Angelica Novis, also of Malita, and Febe Lagarde are tipped to contend for the 14-U category along with Winona Cabardo, Joy Sapitanan, Joy Corpuz and Angelel Obejero.

“We believe there’s a lot of talents to be tapped in the countryside, especially in the Mindanao region – that’s why we’re committed to support Philta’s nationwide program not only to promote the sport but also to discover talents,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

Others seeing action are Davao’s John Velez, Kurt Haro, Johnrick Litang and Abdul Cariga, Kabacan’s Reyman Saldivar Jr., Glan’s Vergel Corpuz and Angelo Corpuz, Jillian Manangking and Jasmen Kadalum of Pikit, according to  Bobby Mangunay, PPS-PEPP sports program development director.