Top seed Jeson Patrombon overwhelmed unseeded Joseph Victorino with his power game, scoring a 6-3, 6-1 romp while unranked Christine Patrimonio trounced younger sister Clarice via the same scoreline to clinch the singles crown in the PPS-PEPP Actifit Open Tennis Championship in Valenzuela City Sunday.
Patrombon flashed top form and superb condition, scoring heavily on long rallies to fashion out the victory and cap his impressive week-long performance that saw the Davis Cupper veteran from Iligan City ace drop just 11 games against five rivals.
“This is a good win to start the year and I thank Palawan Pawnshop for putting up these Open tournaments,” said Patrombon, who eased out Philipe Coteron (6-0, 6-0), Raymund Diaz (6-0, 6-1), Joseph Arcilla (6-1 6-1) and Fritz Verdad (6-3,6-1) on his way to the championship.
Christine, on the other hand, banked on her baseline game to outlast Clarice and complete a surge sparked by her shutout win over Franchezka Malaki before toppling third seed Rachel Velez, 6-0, 6-2, and stopping top junior Alexa Milliam, 7-5, 6-2, in the semifinals of the event put up by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro.
“My game plan was to really make it tough for her on baseline rallies while pouncing on her unforced errors,” said Christine, who held serve all throughout her 1:35-minute victory in the tournament presented by Dunlop and co-organized by John Mari Altiche.
Sharing the spotlight are Legends division winners Expedito Lim and Dennis Sta. Cruz, who clinched the 40s and 50s titles, after organizers forfeited Alvin Lim and Rex Gabuat’s victories in both categories. Elmer Arcega and Tony Buella copped the 60s diadem in the event backed by Liquid Gold Wine & Spirits, Ayala Amity Centennial Lions Club, Skin Rejuve and Calle Café.
Meanwhile, a six-leg PPS-PEPP Mindanao swing kicks off on Thursday (Jan. 31) with the Gen. Santos City leg with Sultan Kudarat hosting the next stop on Feb. 5-11 followed by Kabacan on Feb. 14-17, Kidapawan City on Feb. 21-25, Digos City on Feb. 28-March 4 and Tagum City on March 7-11.
