VINCE EJ Tugade, Caryn Bless Guarde and Sharyl de los Santos came away with two titles each to dominate the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala presented by Babolat tennis tournament on Monday at the City Court Tennis Club in Gen. Santos City.
The 11-year-old Tugade downed No. 4 Alfred Directo, 6-3, 6-1, in the finals to cop the boys’ 14-and-under title in the 18th leg of the nationwide circuit. He upended second seed Merwin Estrellado, 4-2, 4-0, in the quarterfinals the held off Jeff Alquiza, 5-4 (4), 4-2, in the semis.
Tugade whipped No. 2 Nicole Gorospe, 6-0, 6-1, in the 12-under division final after defeating top seeded Directo, 4-0, 4-1, in the semis.
Guarde, 11, matched Tugade’s two-title romp by ruling the girls’ 14- and 12-and-under classes, beating April Bentillo twice, 6-4, 6-2, and 6-1, 6-2.
De los Santos also scored a twin-kill, trouncing Shaira Rivera twice, 6-2, 6-1, and 6-4, 6-2, to cop the girls’ 18- and 16-and-under titles.
No. 4 Jeric delos Santos topped the boys’ 18-and-under category with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Abubakar Pendiwata.
Ralph Diama bagged the boys’ 16-and-under crown with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Lyle Ibali. Top seed April Minet Bentillo rolled past Angelica Novis, 6-3, 6-2, to cop the 10-unisex diadem.
“This series of nationwide age-group tournaments is part of Palawan Pawnshop’s commitment to give our young players, especially from the countryside, a venue where they could hone their talent and skills,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.
The series sanctioned by Philta resumes Sept. 27-30 in Koronadal City. For details, contact Philta referee Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.
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