Bentillo, Alejandre shine in Palawan netfest

MANILA, Philippines - April Minet Bentillo came away with two victories and a runner-up finish while Abson John Alejandre dominated the boys side as they shared top honors with Shaira Hope Rivera in Series 62 Palawan Pawnshop regional circuit at the Koronadal Sports Complex in Koronadal City yesterday.

Bentillo, 10, held off Andre Sing, 6-0, 7-5, to pocket the 10-unisex crown then trounced Ma. Angelica Novis, 6-2, 6-2, to cop the 12-and-Under plum in the four-day tournament serving as part of the year-long, nationwide age-group circuit sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Padala with Technifibre as official ball.

Ranked as No. 4, the 10-year-old find shocked top seed Diadem Sasota, 6-2, 6-3, in the semis of the 14-and-U class but fell short of her bid for a third crown when she dropped a 5-2 (ret.) decision to Kathlenrey Arandia.

“I’ve been working hard to improve my game to play in big tournaments in Manila someday,” said Bentillo, the youngest Mindanao bet who has been training with brother Ramon Wilfred at Sultan Kudarat’s Old Capitol tennis courts during breaks in Caluag Central School in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat..

Alejandre, the 15-year-old mainstay of Notre Dame of Midsayap, toppled Mark Corpuz, 7-6(3), 6-1, to bag the 18-and-U diadem then overpowered Ramon Bentillo, 6-2, 6-2, to add the 16-and-U title to cap his domination in the event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association headed by Philta president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

Rivera, coming off a two-title romp in the Gen. Santos City two weeks ago, sustained her form and duplicated her previous feat, outclassing Arandia, 6-0, 6-1, in the 16-and-U finals and blanking Yzi Domingo, 6-0, 6-0, for the 18-and-U crown.

Top seed Vince EJ Tugade trampled LJ Mangudadatu, 6-1, 6-1, to pocket the boys’ 14-and-U title while Andre Sing crushed AJ Santamaria, 6-1, 6-2, to snare the 12-and-U plum.

“The big turnout continues to inspire us to support this series of ranking tournaments among our youth, especially in the countryside. With the Palawan Pawnshop circuit, we believe we can produce top-notch players for our future national teams,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

Meanwhile, Kidapawan will host the next stop on Sept. 19-22 before M’lang takes its turn to stage the next event on Sept. 26-29 in Palawan Pawnshop’s continuing effort to give the young players and enthusiasts from the countryside a chance to play in top-level tournaments.