Novis, Alqueza shine in Palawan M’lang netfest

MANILA, Philippines - Young Ma. Angela Novis played true to form and captured two titles while Jefferson Alqueza bagged the premier boys’ crown in the M’lang leg of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age-group tournament at the M’lang Tennis Club in North Cotabato last Sunday.

The top-seeded Novis mastered No. 2 JV Comendador, 4-2, 4-0, to cap her unbeaten run in the 10-unisex class of the four-day tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association.

The nine-year-old Malita native later subdued local bet Jazelle Madis, 5-3, 4-1, to pocket the girls’ 12-and-under diadem and emerge the lone double winner in the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop through COO Bobby Castro and Technosports, distributor of Babolat equipment, headed by president Guillermo Nocom.

“We thank Philta, Palawan Pawnshop and Babolat for bringing the circuit here, giving M’lang youth the rare chance to compete in this kind of tournament,” said M’Lang Mayor Joselito Piño. “This also prompts us to put up additional tennis courts to sustain the junior tennis development program here in M’lang.”

Alqueza, on the other hand, repulsed unseeded Lordrens Pacheco, 4-2, 4-5, 10-8, to annex the boys’ 18-and-U title but the top Kidapawan City bet fell short of his bid for a three-division romp after sustaining injury, bowing to Marco Barrios, 4-5(8), 4-4 (ret.) in the 14-and-U finals and losing by default to No. 6 Kyle Macaraeg in the 16-and-U championship.

“It has been Palawan Pawnshop’s commitment to help in the development of the sport and we hope that by holding tournaments in the countryside, we are able to do our share,” said Castro.

Malita’s Abegail Icoy trounced Lara Nadela, 4-2, 4-1, to snare the girls’ 18-and-U plum; Davao City’s Lyndie Bisnar outlasted Madis, 2-4, 5-4(5), 10-3, to cop the 16-and-U crown; while Madis upended top seed Nicole Bautista, 4-0, 4-2, to annex the 14-and-U title while Eric Comendador, also from Kidapawan, topped the boys’ 12-and-U category with a 4-1, 4-0 romp over Mel Facto.