Pinoy netters aim for top ATF finish

MANILA, Philippines — Four young netters, toughened up by a series of tournaments on the local front, bring their act to Malaysia this week as they slug it out for top singles honors against a crack international field in the ATF (Asian Tennis Federation) 14-and-Under Series in Kuching, Sarawak.

Alexa Joy Milliam, Marielle Alexi Jarata, Exequiel Mari Jucutan, Joewyn Rey Pascua, who have dominated the ranks in the Cebuana Lhuillier and Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala circuits, set out against the leading players from Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Jordan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Great Britain, Indonesia, India and from host Malaysia, upbeat of their respective chances in the five-day tournament firing off Wednesday at Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association Tennis Center.

The members of the Unified Tennis Philippines national junior team’s campaign is backed by Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings, Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala, Dunlop, Enervon, STI, Buffalo Wild Wings, BO’s Coffee and Madison Galeries Lifestyle Mall.

Another group of young UTP players, led by Sydney Enriquez and Eric Jay Tangub, is also set to compete in the ITF (International Tennis Federation) Grade 5 tournament in Selangor on Oct. 1-6.