Top seed Nilo Ledama and unranked Bliss Bayking knocked down two victories each in their respective sides to clinch the MVP honors in the PPS-PEPP Maasin regional age-group tennis tournament at the Capitol Tennis Courts in Leyte recently.
Ledama, from Pagadian City, thwarted Sai Lago, 6-4, 6-4, in the boys’ 16-and-under finals then routed Tyrone Ybañez, 6-0, 6-0, to claim the 18-U diadem in the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala and presented by Dunlop.
Bayking, one of the rising stars from San Carlos City, matched that two-title feat in her side of the finals, crushing top seed Pherl Coderos, 6-1, 6-1, in the 16-U championship then repulsing No. 2 Elizabeth Abarquez, 6-4, 6-3, for the 18-U crown.
Other winners in the ranking event backed by Asiatraders Corp. and sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg were Corazon Lambonao and Lago in the 14-U division, local bets Elna Beronio and Ruzzel Manlimos in the 12-U play and Christian Estrada in the 10-unisex section.
Lambonao, from Ormoc City, lived up to her top billing and whipped Mae Macasuot while Lago, from Sogod, Leyte, bounced back from his loss to Ledama with a 6-1, 6-2 romp over Nicholas Ocat; No. 3 Beronio upset top seed Riza Coderos, 6-0, 6-1, while Manlimos overpowered the young Estrada, 6-3, 6-1.
Estrada earlier took the youngest title disputed with a 4-0, 4-0 trashing of Edrielle dela Cruz in the event held simultaneously with the other age-group competitions under the PPS-PEPP’s busy summer program.
“It’s inspiring to see these young players slug it out for top honors and ranking points at this time when they should be enjoying their summer vacation,” said PPS-PEPP president/CEO Bobby Castro, adding that the circuit will always provide them the venue where they could their talent and skills.
In fact, two events are currently being held in San Jose, Antique and Baybay City in Leyte with the next two stops set in Bacolod and Ormoc City.
For details, call PPS-PEPP Program Development Director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.
