Harrow, Centino share MVP honors in Palawan tennis tilt
MANILA, Philippines — Liam Harrow sustained his dominance in the boys’ 12-and-under division, routing Shaun Navidad in the finals to share MVP honors with 14-and-U champion Prince Centino in the Governor’s Cup Juniors Age Group Tennis Championships at the Dao courts in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur over the weekend.
Harrow set the pace with a pair of shutout victories over Karrlozz Cortes and Michael Dinglasa before surviving a stern semifinal test from Francis Dadan, 7-6(1), 6-3. The rising Manila Polo Club standout then shifted into high gear, blasting Navidad, 6-1, 6-2, to clinch another crown and cap a commanding campaign.
Harrow also saw action in the 14-and-U division but fell short of a double-title bid, absorbing a 3-6, 3-6 semifinal loss to Sherwin Gom-Os, who, however, ran into a solid Centino in the finals, dropping a 1-6, 1-6 decision to the top seed.
Centino’s dominant march to the 14-and-U title, during which he surrendered just three games in four matches, earned him a share of the MVP honors with Harrow in the Group 2 tournament held in honor of Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Divina Grace Yu and Vice Gov. Roy Ariosa.
Zaia Gumbao likewise stamped her class in the girls’ division, capturing two titles in contrasting fashion. The Sultan Kudarat standout outlasted Aizelle Libonfacil, 7-5, 6-3, to rule the 14-and-U class before overwhelming Princess Hilot, 6-2, 6-1, for the 16-and-U crown in the Group 2 tournament was staged under the Palawan Pawnshop talent-search program initiated by president and CEO Bobby Castro.
Hilot bounced back in the 18-and-U division, upsetting top seed Cloe Busig, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, while Libonfacil likewise redeemed herself by sweeping Grace Labadisos, 6-1, 6-1, for the 12-and-U title in the event sanctioned by Philta and Universal Tennis and supported by Dunlop, ICON Golf & Sports and the Palawan Group of Companies.
In the other boys’ finals, Sky Bacongga proved his recent triumph in Dipolog City was no fluke, repeating over top seed Muhammad Sarip, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, to secure the 16-and-U crown. Fourth-seeded Glandy Tatad III, meanwhile, dominated Hazer Malicay, 6-2, 6-1, to claim the 18-and-U title.
Gumbao also teamed up with Busig to clinch the doubles title in the 18-and-U division with Sarip and Clint Gallenero topping the boys’ side. Libonfacil also shone with Kyth Solis in the 14-and-U doubles finals, while Vincent Balucos and Dadan took the boys’ title.
Meanwhile, the country’s longest talent-search now moves to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, for the next leg, scheduled for Oct. 26 to Nov. 2, as players resume their chase for ranking points. For details and registration, contact tournament director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464. (Pool story)
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