Palawan tennis unfolds

MANILA, Philippines - Junior players from the Visayas and nearby towns and cities get the chance to showcase their tennis skills as the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age-group tournament gets going today in Baybay, Leyte.

As part of its continuing effort to give the youth the feel of tournament play, the organizing Philippine Tennis Association and sponsoring Palawan Pawnshop are waiving off the tournament fee for all participants. For details and registration, contact Palawan Pawnshop secretariat at 0915-4046464.

More than 200 players are expected to vie for top honors in various divisions in the four-day tournament presented by Technifibre as the official ball with the Baybay Tennis Club hosting the latest leg of the nationwide, year-long circuit held to promote the sport and at the same time discover new talents from the countryside.

Events on tap are the 12-, 14-, 16- and 18-and-under categories for boys and girls and the 10-unisex class.

“By opening the tournament to everybody, we hope to encourage more youth to take up the sport,” said Philta president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez. “We hope to discover new talents who can be developed and trained to become members of the national pool.”

“Palawan Pawnshop has vigorously supported the Philta Regional age grouper both financially and by overseeing the technical management of the events. Our efforts have been rewarded by the positive and overwhelming acceptance by the participants and fans alike,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

Tipped to lead the field are Master Yan and Maria del Rose Duran, who won two titles each here last year, Gia Cari, Patricia Abaday, Marck Suson, Ep-Ep Nunez, Aeron Carunggay, Paolo Loreto, Alyka Sumapig and Aira Barcial.