Velez, Rivera dominate Palawan-Davao netfest

MANILA, Philippines - Local bet John David Velez put on a strong performance to dominate the boys’ 12-and-under class while Shaira Hope Rivera swept two titles in the girls side of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age group tennis presented by Technifibre in Davao last Monday.

The top-seeded Velez overpowered Grant de Leon in the opening set but had to scramble in the next to complete a 6-0, 6-4 victory while Rivera mastered Patricia Velez twice to pocket the 16-U (6-1, 6-3) and 18-U (6-4, 6-0) crowns in the third leg of the 38-stage nationwide circuit put up by the country’s leading pawnshop, remittance and claim center.

Rivera, a gem of a find from Monkayo, Compostela Valley, later teamed up with Patricia Velez to defeat Jazelle Madis and Danna Abad, 8-5, and cop the 18-U doubles plum while John Velez partnered with Roy Ito to stun the top-seeded pair of Kurt Haro and Miguel Pila, 8-2, in the boys’ 14-U doubles finals at the GSIS-ECO 2 & 4 Tennis Club.

Unranked Christian Fel Lopez from Samal also capped his amazing run in the centerpiece boys’ 18-U division, repulsing top seed John Alejandre, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, to snare the crown while Cebu’s Jan Godfrey Seno also pulled off a shock win over top seed Jerome Romualdez, 6-1, 6-1, to clinch the 16-U diadem in the event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association headed by president and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

“While John Velez and Shaira Rivera lived up to their billing, the reversals in the other classes underscored the level playing field in the circuit which has continued to produce new faces and talents,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

Top-ranked Janus Ringia from Koronadal, meanwhile, foiled No. 2 Cyrin Martinez, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, to keep the boys’ 14-U crown while fancied local ace Kenny Sing took the 10-unisex title with a 4-0, 4-2 romp over Cedric Pamplona.