Uy, Cero repeat as Palawan tennis champs

MANILA, Philippines - Dawn Albert Uy hacked out a tough three-setter over Joanne Zamora while Russel Cero dominated Lester Labor in two as they retained their crowns in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age group tennis circuit presented by Tecnifibre at the Ubay Tennis Club in Ubay, Bohol last Monday.

Uy, from Ubay, outlasted Zamora in the tiebreaker, pulling off a 6-3, 5-7, 10-8 win to keep the girls’ 16-and-under title while Cero overpowered Labor, 6-1, 6-0, to repeat as the boys’ 14-U champion in the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and Technifibre and hosted by Mayor Galicano Atup.

The 16-year-old Uy, however, failed to add the 18-U plum, falling short against No. 2 Denise Kaye Alota of Inabanga, who pounded out a similar hard-earned 6-4, 6-7(6), 10-8 win.

“In behalf of the Ubay, Bohol municipality, we thank Palawan Pawnshop for staging this event here. This is a good tournament for our young tennis players and enthusiasts and we look forward to hosting this tournament again in the future,” said Mayor Atup.

Armina Gumapac, also of Ubay, subdued Jenia Javellana, 7-5, 6-2, to bag the girls’ 14-U crown; Rica Trixie Gudilusao, also of Inabanga, took the 12-U diadem with a 6-3, 6-3 romp over Armeda Gumapac; while unranked John Earl Mendez from Jagna held off John Rhey Magallano, 6-1, 2-6, 10-5, to pocket the 10-unisex crown in the event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association, headed by president and Parañaque Ctiy Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

Top seed Miguel Logrono from Ubay thwarted Reggie Amba, 3-6, 6-1, 10-0, to cop the boys’ 18-U title; Ian Escartin from Talibon carved a 7-5, 1-0 (ret.) win over Amba; and Randy Labor from Jagna toppled Bryant Zamora, 6-2, 6-2, to clinch the 12-U crown.

“The number of matches that ended in tiebreakers only underscored the level playing field. Palawan Pawnshop will always be committed to help develop the sport from the grassroots level and provide the young players highly-competitive tournaments,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

Meanwhile, action resumes on Friday for the fifth leg at the Praxevilla Tennis Club in Dumaguete City. Listup is ongoing.

Details:  Philta referee and tournament director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.