Llamas banners field in PPS-PEPP Capiz leg

MANILA, Philippines - Tracy Llamas sets out for another two-title romp against a field toughened up by a slew of local aces as she banners the field in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional tennis circuit presented by Slazenger second leg beginning today at the Dumalag Tennis Club in Dumalag, Capiz.

Llamas toppled Louise Clavaton twice to sweep the girls’ 16- and 18-and-under crowns with the La Carlota, Negros Occidental ace all primed up for a repeat in this week’s staging of the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and hosted by Mayor Amado Eriberto Castro Jr.

Rising players from Negros, San Carlos, La Carlota, Pontevedra, Bacolod, Kalibo, Cabatuan, Passi, Roxas and Dao have also signed up for the five-day Group 2 tournament backed by Slazenger as the official ball of the age-group circuit and the Open Festival.

Clavaton is also in the fold, eager to get back at Llamas while the likes of Nina Sumacolub, Ann Mariz Singson, Milca Dumaniel, Jane Diangco, Avril Suace and Shanaiah Faegane are also out to stamp their class in the premier category of the event, the second leg of a 52-stage, nationwide, year-long circuit.

“We expect some reversals and a number of new faces to emerge, not only in this tournament but also in the other legs of the circuit,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. “The tour has continued to generate interest from the youth which only inspires up to keep the circuit going and provide a venue for these youngsters where they could hone their talent and skills in a sport where we can be at par with the best.”

Mark Crisosto and Matthew Flores lead the boys’ 18-U cast, along with Troy Llamas, Reynan Mahusay, Rewel Justiniani, Troy Togonon, Jerome Gavituya Jr. and Justin Alba with Llamas gaining the top seeding in the 16-U section with Flores as No. 2 and Justiniani and Mahusay as the next two seeds, respectively.

Meanwhile, action shifts to Tacloban on Jan. 21-25 with the staging of the third leg, another Group 3 tournament. Listup is open, according to tournament organizer and supervisor Bobby Mangunay, also the PPS-PEPP sports program development director. For details, call 0915-4046464 or log on to www.palawanpawnshoptennis.com.

Competition is also expected to be fierce in other categories with Macie Carlos, Kiana de Asis, Bliss Bayking, Alexa Milliam, Avril Suace, Angela Panisa, Faye Fajardo and Danna Castro fancied in the girls’ 14-U class. Carlos, Milliam and Fajardo are also vying in the 12-U division along with fancied Joy Dapiton.