ELO Cup regional netfest unfolds at Olivarez Center

MANILA, Philippines - Hostilities in the boys’ 16-and-under, girls’ 12- and 14-and-U and the 10-unisex kick off a busy opener in Series 56 Palawan Pawnshop President’s ELO Cup Regional Age Group tennis tournament today at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.

Top seed Bryan Decasa and No. 2 Julian Dayrit take on John Rosales and Jolo Rusco, respectively, both looking for victories and the momentum in the full-packed 64-player draw in the 16-and Usection of the Group 2 tournament which lured over 200 players from the metropolis and nearby towns and provinces.

No. 1 Rafaella Villanueva battles Ysabella Esteban while second seed Chloe Mae Saraza faces off with Jobelle Saliksi in two of the featured matches in girls 14-and-U while third ranked Kryshana Brazal and No. 4 Mia So square off with Kathrina Santos and Rianna Quiroz, respectively, in the girls’ 12-and-U category with the top two ranked players Miles Vitaliano and Lourdes Pe drawing opening round byes.

Top seed Rafael Liango collides with Sean Bernardo while No. 2 Macie Carlos battles Alyssa Rosales in the 10-unisex division, which also drew a full roster of 64 players that further underscored Philta and Palawan Pawnshop’s sound development junior program that has continued to attract the younger crop of players.

“We are humbled by the tremendous response of the players, especially the younger ones. With Palawan Pawnshop’s long-term commitment, we promise to provide these kids a regular venue where they could hone their talent and skills,” said Philta president and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, under whose name the event is held.

Four matches in the girls’ 16-and-U class are also on tap with Mae Perez mixing it up with Danielle Poblador, Sophia Yap tangling with Karamina Atangan, Megan Reyes clashing with Marie Bejer and Mika Bona slugging it out with Digna Lapez for berths in the Last 16 phase.

No. 4 Melanie Dizon takes on Keanu Flores in the lone girls’ 18-and-U clash while No. 7 Claudio Canlas tests Jeremiah Co’s mettle, No. 8 Marcus del Rosario battles Orient Gabutina, Emmanuel Fuellas colldes with Miguel dela Paz, and Paul Sarabillo faces off with Miguel del Rosario in the boys’ premier category.

“Palawan Pawnshop has been in the forefront of tennis development for years and we will continue providing our youth top-notch tournaments like this, which will surely inspire our young players to achieve a higher level of play,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

In boys’ 14-and-U class, top seed Marcus del Rosario opens his bid against Migo Bona. Jules Lazaro tangles with Matthew Garcia, Jos Apilado clashes with Lorenzo Suarez, and No. 8 Aldwyn Rosales takes on Kurt Molina.