Del Rosario, Sioson bag ELO Cup crowns

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Marcus del Rosario shook off a poor start and foiled No. 5 Gabriel Tiamson in three while Chrislyn Coleen Sioson survived a first-set scare to sweep Chloe Mae Saraza as they led the winners in Series 56 Palawan Pawnshop President’s ELO Cup Regional Age Group tennis tournament at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Paranaque last Tuesday.

Del Rosario, a Letran mainstay, struggled in the early going but recovered to dominate Tiamson for a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 win in the boys’ 14-and-under class finals while Sioson, a standout from the Academy of Queen Mary Orani in Bataan, held off Saraza’s gritty stand and fashioned out a 7-5, 6-2 victory in the girls’ 18-and-U championship.

Sioson actually mastered Saraza as she also scored a 6-2, 6-3 romp to clinch the 16-and-U crown and emerge the lone two-division winner in the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and sanctioned by Philta and held in honor of Philta president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez.

“While the favorites played true to form and stamped their class, a number of strong players emerged with the tournament serving as an inspiration for our young players to strive more and achieve a higher level of play,” said Olivarez, who also cited Palawan Pawnshop’s big role in the sport’s development.

Sixth seed Betto Orendain also rallied from an opening set setback to stun No. 4 Chris Prulla, 5-7, 6-4, 6-0, to snare the boys;’ 18-and-U title, while top seed Bryan Decasa played true to form and bested No. 2 Julian Dayrit, 6-1, 6-1, for the boys’ 16-and-U plum.

“We support Philta’s junior tennis program as part of our long-term commitment to promote sports as one of the primary focus of our corporate social responsibility,“ said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro. “We regularly sponsor sports activities as our way of giving back to the community part of our blessings and encouraging people to engage in sports for healthier lives,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

No. 1 Rafaella Villanueva broke Saraza once in the first set then overpowered her rival in the next to complete a 6-4, 6-2 romp and cop the girls’ 14-and-U title while top seed Miles Vitaliano clobbered second seed Lourdes Pe, 6-1, 6-2, to pocket the 12-and-U diadem.

Second seed Aljon Talatayod subdued unranked Matthew Garcia, 6-1, 6-4, to clinch the boys;’ 12-and-U crown while unseeded Samuel Nuguit turned back No. 2 Macie Carlos, 6-4, 6-4, to bag the 10-unisex title.