MANILA, Philippines - Local ace Anica Cari flashed top form and claimed two titles while Master Yan matched also nailed two victories as they dominated their respective sections in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age-group tournament presented by Technifibre at the Baybay Tennis Club in Baybay, Leyte yesterday.
Cari lived up to hype and bested No. 2 Joy Camille Sanico, 4-2, 4-2, to capture the girls’ 14-and-under crown moments after the Baybay, Leyte native annexed the 12-U diadem with a 4-1, 4-1 romp over Bea Pelias in the rain-marred tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association.
Yan, from Hilongos, Leyte, nipped Aeron Carungay in a tight first set duel then imposed his will to complete a 5-4(3), 4-1 victory in the boys’ 18-U finals after wearing down Paulo Loreto, 4-1, 1-4 (10-8), to pocket the 16-U crown 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.
“It inspires us to see these young players come out and play despite the bad weather condition. This only shows the positive acceptance by the participants and supporters of our youth tennis program,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.
Another local bet, Joshua Torres, scored a twinkill, beating Chyme Arradaza, 4-0, 4-1, to cop the boys’ 14-U plum and shutting out Aaron Suaron, 4-0, 4-0, for the 12-U crown.
Top seed Ghylem Basalo also took the spotlight by winning the 10-unisex title, holding off Samjosh Ramos, 4-0, 5-3, while Sanico, from Isabel, Leyte, atoned for her loss to Cari in the 14-U finals by pocketing the girls’ 18-U crown with a come-from-behind 3-5, 4-1 (10-6) victory over Ma. Delrose Duran.
The Samar-based Duran, however, got back at Sanico and scored a 2-4, 4-2 (10-4) decision to snare the 16-U title.