Tria, Bayking score triple PPS Bacolod title romps

MANILA, Philippines - Nio Tria and Bliss Bayking lived up to the hype as they racked up three victories each to dominate the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Dangcagan, Bacolod leg regional tennis tournament at the Center Court, Panaad and Manville tennis clubs yesterday.

The top seeded Tria posted shutout victories in his first three matches then held off No. 8 Reynan Mahusay, 6-4, 6-3, in the finals to clinch the boys’ 16-and-under plum. As No. 3, the Manila-based teener went all the way to capture the 18-U crown with a 6-3, 6-2 romp over Reyniel Marcellana, who shocked No. 1 Karl Baran, 2-6, 6-4, 10-5, in the semis of the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger.

Bayking, in contrast, struggled past Kianna de Asis before snaring a thrilling 2-6, 6-2, 10-8 decision for the girls’ 14-U plum then the rising San Carlos City, Negros star stunned top seed Tracy Llamas, 6-2, 6-2, to bag the 16-U diadem in the top-ranking tournament sanctioned by Philta and backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusive distributor of Slazenger, the official ball, and held as part of the Bacolod Masskara Festival.

Tria and Bayking capped their big campaign with victories in the doubles category with the former teaming up with Baran to edge Marcellana and Lorenzo Legaspi, 8-6, for the 18-U plum and the latter combining with Alexa Milliam to rout Jufe-Ann Cocoy and Arean Pecaoco, 8-0, for the 14-U title.

“Tria and Bayking are but two of a slew of young players who have the skills and talent to make it big someday given proper training and exposure,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro, adding that the country’s leading pawnshop and remittance company is committed to provide year-long tournaments for the youth.

Sharing the spotlight were Llamas and Milliam, both from La Carlota, who pocketed the 18-U and 12-U titles, Wilyn Segura, also from La Carlota, who took the 10-unisex plum, Surigao’s Rupert Tortal, who ruled the boys’ 12-U side and local ace Fernando Po, who dominated the boys’ 14-U category.

Llamas foiled De Asis, 7-6(7), 6-1; Milliam trounced Wendy Galanza, 6-1, 6-1; Segura clipped Federer Clelo, 4-0, 4-2; Tortal crushed Fern Po, 6-0, 6-2; and Fernando Po upended Tortal, 6-3, 4-6, 10-6.