Jr aces resume Palawan title chase

MANILA, Philippines - Action in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age-group tennis circuit presented by Technifibre shifts to Cebu got under way yesterday with a huge field seeing action at the Mactan Island Tennis Club and Mactan Airbase Tennis Club in Lapu-Lapu City.

Host Mayor Paz Radaza guarantees a successful staging of the six-day event, which drew entries from Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Mindoro, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Bohol, Iloilo, Boracay, Leyte and Puerto Princesa.

A slew of local players and those from nearby cities are also participating in the tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association, which stakes ranking points.

“We really want to ensure the successful staging of this event and we are very thankful for Palawan Pawnshop and Tecnifibre for putting up a tournament here,” said Radaza.

Puerto Princesa’s Alexie Santos, coming off a three-title romp at home last week, hopes to bring her winning act to Cebu as she heads the big cast chasing the crowns in the girls’ 18-, 16- and 14-and-under categories.

Luke Flores, a Central Philippine University standout from Iloilo, also won two titles in Puerto Princesa and is expected to lead the chase for top honors in the boys’ division of the event.

“We expect another spirited battle for top honors, not only in the premier division but also in other categories, ensuring another slam-bang action among our young, rising players,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.