Gonzales, Molina banner PPS-PEPP cast in Legazpi

MANILA, Philippines – Action in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age group tennis tournament shifts to Legazpi City starting today with Jennard Gonzales and Kurt Angelo Molina heading the huge field vying for titles in various divisions at the DPWH-RES Tennis Club in Albay.

Gonzales, one of the rising stars from the host city, and Molina from Daet, hope to build some momentum with a strong start but remain wary of their chances against a strong field out to gain honors and ranking points in the four-day tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and hosted by Nards Gonzales, president of DPWH-RES Tennis Club.

Jan Harold Trillanes, from Iriga, is also expected to contend for the crown along with Naga City’s Nolan Gagalac and Jolo Basa, Ryan Taller and Kevin Madrid from Tabaco City, and Ligao City’s JC Gonzales, Jumari Gonzales and Kate Prianes.

Also tipped to crowd the favorites for top honors in the event, presented by Technifibre, are Glydel Guevarra, Patricia Corporal and Nica Alanis from Iriga City, and Paolo Samson, Oswald Hernandez from Camalig, Albay.

“This tournament is a big boost not only to youth tennis here but to local sports as well and we thank Palawan Pawnshop for including Legazpi City in its calendar of events,” said Rep. Al Francis Bichara, who also cited the positive response of all the tennis federations in Bicol that guarantees the successful staging of the tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association headed by president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

“Palawan Pawnshop has been providing tournaments for our young and aspiring players, especially in the countryside,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro. “This tournament will surely help promote and develop the sport and inspire young players from Albay to achieve a higher level of play.”

For details, call Bobby Mangunay, PPS-PEPP organizer and sports program development director at 0915-4046464.