Llamas, Andrade log PPS-PEPP Capiz wins

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Tracy Llamas and unranked Al Francis Andrade dished out top form to nail two titles each in the 2016 Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional tennis circuit presented by Slazenger at the Vistec Tennis Club in Roxas City yesterday.

Llamas, one of the rising stars from La Carlota, Negros, Occidental, mastered Louise Clavaton twice, posting a 6-3, 6-1 triumph in the girls’ 18-U finals and hacking out a tough 7-5, 6-4 decision for the 16-U diadem.

Andrade matched that feat in the boys’ side of the Group 3 tournament as the unfancied Kalibo bet humbled top seed Lorenzo Legaspi, 6-2, 6-3, to pocket the 16-U title then overpowered Justin Alba, 6-0, 6-1, in the premier 18-U championship, making him the player to watch in the next stops of the circuit sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and Slazenger as the official ball of the age-group circuit and the Open Festival.

“It has been an inspiring start not only for us but for these young players with Andrade emerging as the surprise package of the tournament,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. “It is for this reason – to discover fresh talents – that we have committed to put up this nationwide, year-long circuit.”

Andrea Suace lived up to her billing as the top seeded bet from Iloilo crushed Jane Diangco, 6-2, 6-3, to cop the girls’ 14-U crown while local bet and third seed DJ John Guillano stunned top seed Angelo Mejia, 6-2, 1-6, 10-6, to snare the boys’ title in the five-day event kicking off this year’s tour backed by new partner Asiatraders Corp., exclusive distributor of Slazenger in the country.

Deean Joy Dapiton pulled off a 6-3, 6-0 victory over fellow unranked bet Prudelyn Pania to snatch the girls’ 12-U plum while third seed and fellow Roxas City player Angelo Mejia foiled Guillano’s two-title bid, 6-4, 6-4, to capture the boys’ plum.

Second seed Ella Fullo also outsteadied RJ Guillano, 5-4(2), 4-2, to win the 10-unisex crown in the first of 52 events lined up this year, including seven Open tournaments featuring the country’s aces in both sides.