Hot Raymundo, Cortes dominate Palawan jr tennis

MANILA, Philippines - Toni Rose Raymundo and Brent Cortes hacked out a pair of victories each to stamp their class in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age group tennis circuit presented by Tecnifibre at the Praxevilla Tennis Club in Dumaguete City last Sunday.

The top-seeded Raymundo overpowered Alexandra Casia, 6-0, 6-2, to claim the girls’ 18-and-under crown but the 15-year-old find from PTA Lacta-La Carlota needed to rally from a set down before subduing a stubborn Kianah Vincoy, 2-6, 6-1, 10-5, in the 16-and-U finals.

The nine-year-old Cortes, on the other hand, foiled last year’s winner Alekzander Fern Po, 6-1, 6-1, to snare the 10-unisex diadem then repulsed Giulian Bandoquillo, 6-1, 1-6, 10-2, to pocket the 12-and-U crown in the tournament hosted by Dr. Nick Uypitching, president of Praxevilla Tennis Club.

“We thank Palawan Pawnshop for providing us a regular, open tournament, giving my fellow players the chance to compete for free,” said Raymundo. “Team PTA Lacta-La Carlota is also very happy for winning four titles and we thank our sponsors Mayor Juliet Ferrer of La Carlota and Dr. Rex Jalondoon for their all-out support.” 

Other PTA Lacta-La Carlota winners were Shyryn Salazar, who upended top seed teammate Keana de Asis, 6-3, 7-6(5), for the girls’ 12-and-U title; De Asis who outlasted Tracy Llamas, 6-4, 2-6, 10-4, for the 14-and-U crown; and Karl Baran, who trounced Ibarra Ortega, 6-3, 6-0, for the boys’ 14-and-U plum.

“This nationwide circuit program is part of our long-term commitment to promote sports as one of the primary focus of our corporate social responsibility and at the same time discover and tap talents for future national teams,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

Unranked Reyniel Marcella from Taclobo, Dumaguete stunned the second seeded Baran, 7-5, 6-0, to snatch the boys’ 16-and-U crown while unseeded Dapitan City’s Michael Balisado whipped No. 3 Prince Togonon, 6-0, 6-1, to cop the boys’ 18-and-U title and provide the two reversals in the event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association, headed by president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

Meanwhile, the sixth leg of the circuit will be held March 6-9 at the St. Michael Tennis Courts in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental. For details, contact Philta referee and tournament director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.