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Friday, November 1, 2024

Locals seek to dominate PPS netfest in Kidapawan

Jose Palo, Dhea Cua and two others set out to sustain their title runs at home, looking to stamp their class over their regional rivals in the PPS-PEPP President’s Cup national age-group tennis tournament, which got going over the weekend in Kidapawan City in Cotabato.

Palo and Cua shared the MVP honors with two victories each in the 14- and 16-U divisions in last week’s Kabacan stop of the Mindanao swing of the country’s longest talent-search although they face stiff challenge from a slew of bidders out to spoil their bids in a full-packed field at the Kidapawan City courts.

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In fact, Cua, the top seed in girls’ 14-U, is disputing the last 16-U slot against Keena Villaraiz in a qualifier at presstime.
Meanwhile, action in the Dunlop-presented ranking circuit, shifts to Pigcawayan, also in Cotabato, on June 1-5. For listup, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Palo, also the top ranked player in 14-U, hopes to draw inspiration from the local crowd as braces for a duel with either Inigo Barrios, Cian Ramirez, Rafa Ubag, Yusuf Maldo or Nathaniel Bolocboloc. He will also have his hands full to get another shot at the 16-U diadem against top seed RJ Saldivar, whom he upended in Kabacan.

Joaquin Palo, meanwhile, tries to make it back-to-back in boys’ 18-U play, which also features Saldivar, Joshua Rayray, Derek Napala, Aiki Abasalo, Ben Flores and Pete Cua, while Carl Eduarte gears up for a showdown with Rafa Ubag, Jelord Entoma, Francis Florida or Rey Templa for the 12-U crown in the Group 2 tournament put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Unranked Sanschena Francisco of Sultan Kudarat also seeks to prove her worth in girls’ 18-U side which she ruled last week although the likes of top seed Juliana Carvajal, No. 2 Kyle Sonza and Chelsea Bernaldez have vowed to stop her surge.

Divine Collado from Libungan, Cotabato, also eyes another crown in the girls’ 12-U side headlined by Ayeesa Gilbang and Jhuane Flores with Princess Obaniana, Faye Arce, Kate Florida and Daneea Sinsuat joining the hunt for title and ranking points in the four-day tournament sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines.

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