Gonzales, Saraza banner Pres ELO Cup netfest

MANILA, Philippines - Marcen Angelo Gonzales and Chloe Mae Saraza, two of the rising players from the junior ranks, headline the star-studded field in Series 56 Palawan Pawnshop President’s ELO Cup Regional Age Group which gets going June 12 at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.

Gonzales and Saraza have dished out impressive games in various age group tournaments, making them the players to watch in the upcoming six-day championship, a Group 2 tournament tipped to draw over 200 players from all over the metropolis and nearby towns and provinces.

“These young players are the future of Philippine tennis and this event will showcase their skills and talent in a highly competitive level, this being a Group 2 tournament,” said Philta president and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, under whose name the event is held.

Joining Gonzales in the boys’ side of the tournament, sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop, are brothers Estefan and Justin Suarez, Shant and Samuel Nuguit, and Marcus and Miguel Del Rosario, Marraphael Teng, Tomas Puno, Jeremiah Macias, Paolo So, Miguel Dela Paz, Vincent Alanis, Tim Gumban, Athan Arejola, Santino Vistan, Daniel Estanislao, Abraham lawyer, Alfonso Lacuna, EJ Geluz, Elijah Guillermo, Marc Jarata and Aljon Talatayod,

“Through the years, it has been the commitment of Palawan Pawnshop to support and develop our players by providing top-notch tournaments like this,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro. “This tournament will surely inspire our young players to achieve a higher level of play.”

Expected to crowd Saraza in the girls’ section are Camille So, Melanie Faye Dizon, Karamina Atangan, Jana Hernandez, Sophia Yap, Keanu Flores, Megan Reyes, Bianca Catoto, Mariane and Meriene Ferry, Lourdes Pe, Mariana Po, Miles Vitalliano, Macie Carlos, Kryshana Brazal, Justine Maneja, Devie Pearl Patoc, Mia and Mariel So.

The President’s Cup serves as the Luzon stage of the regional age circuit of the Palawan Pawnshop series, which includes legs in the Visayas and Mindanao in Philta’s effort to provide a venue for all aspiring junior players and give them a feel of tournament play.

The Visayas stage will be held in Bacolod on Oct. 10-14 and in Iloilo on Oct. 24-29 while Gen. Santos City will host the Mindanao stage on Sept. 5-8.

Registration is ongoing. Events on tap are the boys and girls’ 12-, 14, 16- and 18-and-under class and the 10-unisex section.

For details, call up Philta referee and tournament director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.