Imalay, Rodriguez MVPs in PPS netfest

MANILA, Philippines — Kate Imalay and Andrian Rodriguez fashioned out victories and runner-up finishes in their respective sides, earning them co-MVP honors in the Mayor Joedith Gallego National Juniors Tennis Championships at the Silay courts in Negros Occidental over the weekend.

The top-seeded Imalay, 14, scored a 6-0, 6-2 rout of second seed Alexa Cruspero in the finals. Despite a 0-6, 1-6 setback to Bacolod’s Hannah Divinagracia in the 16-and-under category, the rising Bato, Leyte star emerged the top performer among female players in the Group I tournament presented by Dunlop.

Rodriquez survived Kurt Montenegro, 4-2, 4-5 (1), 10-2, in the semis then repulsed Raphael Lamata, 6-3, 6-2, to clinch the boys’ 14-and-U title but fell short in the 16-and-U finals, losing, 3-6, 6-1, 6-10 to top seed Jeremy Napiere from Cadiz City.