Zoleta reaches final in Lucena tennis tiff

MANILA, Philippines - Eight-year-old Amanda Gabrielle Zoleta defied the odds and overcame Danielle Rebleza, 8-5, to gain a crack at the Lucena City Tennis Club National Age Group Challenge crown at the Gov. Anacleto Alcala tennis court in Lucena recently.

Zoleta, a Grade 3 pupil at Bristol Integrated School, dished out an impressive baseline game to neutralize Rebleza in their semifinal showdown in the 12-under girls category of the event sponsored by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.

The niece of tennis campaigners Bambi and Bien Zoleta took up the sport at age four and has been trying to improve her game by competing in various age-group tournaments.

Ivan Gonzales, meanwhile, dominated Jerome Ignacio, 8-0, to advance in the 14-under boys category of the tournament held to support the sports development program of Quezon Second Dist. Rep. Irvin Alcala and Quezon Vice-Gov. Vicente Alcala.

Nestor Marquez, president of the Lucena City Tennis Club, has lauded the young players’ participation in the event even as he encouraged others to join future events of the city.