Palawan M’lang tennis on

MANILA, Philippines - Patricia Velez shoots for another pair of victories as she headlines the huge field vying for top honors in various divisions in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age group tennis tournament beginning today at the M’lang Tennis Club in M’lang, North Cotabato.

Velez swept the girls’ 16- and 18-and-under crowns in last week’s PPS-PEPP leg in Gen. Santos City with the Davaoeño ace installed as the player to beat again in this weekend’s Group 3 event hosted by Mayor Joselito Piñol and presented by Technifibre.

Aside from the Davaoeño netters and M’lang leading players, the four-day tournament, sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association headed by president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, drew participants from Koronadal, Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, Digos, Malita, Kidapawan, Kabacan, Pikit and Glan, all raring to showcase their talents and gain ranking points.

“This marks the third year we’re holding a PPS-PEPP leg in M’lang where the sport has a huge following,” said Bobby Castro, COO of Palawan Pawnshop, Philta’s long-time partner in developing the sport and discovering future members of the national pool.

For details, call Bobby Mangunay, PPS-PEPP organizer and sports program development director at 0915-4046464.

Out to foil Velez’s repeat title bid are Nicole Bautista, Jane Binoya, Jazzelle Madis, Jon Nadela, Jaonne Gornes, Joy Diaz and Mae Delicano while Sultan Kudarat’s Minette Bentillo banners the 12-U and 14-U cast that includes Madis, Nadela, Ma. Angelica Novis, Jillian Manangking and Tennielle Madis.

Andrei Pamplona and Wilfred Bentillo, meanwhile, brace for showdown in the boys’ 18-U division with the duo also leading the 16-U cast that includes Eric Comendador, Klyde Lagarde, Benladin Sabang, Aldrin Manalop, Steve Aton and Jarell Edangga.

Wilfred Bentillo is also competing in the 14-U category along with Comendador, Lagarde, Aton, JV Comendador and David Velez of Davao, also the top seed in the 12-U group of the event that also features the 10-unisex section headed by Cedric Pamplona and Tennielle Madis.