Velez siblings score in PPS-PEPP Koronadal

MANILA, Philippines - Patricia Velez reasserted her mastery over Carlyn Guarde, winning the girls’ 16- and 18-and-under plums while younger brother John David took the 12- and 14-U titles in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional tennis circuit at the Koronadal Sports Complex in South Cotabato yesterday.

Patricia, ranked No. 4 upended No. 2 Gennifer Pagente, 6-0, 6-2, in the semis then smothered Guarde, 6-1, 6-3, in the 16-U finals although the ace Davaoeña netter needed an extra set to topple her rival from Sultan Kudarat, 6-1, 1-6, 6-1, to rule the premier side of the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and hosted by Gov. Daisy Avance Fuentes.

The two-title feat was a repeat of her sweep of the Kidapawan leg of the nationwide circuit presented by Slazenger last month with Velez bracing for another romp when action resumes Thursday for the seventh leg in Davao.

For details, call tournament organizer and supervisor Bobby Mangunay, also the PPS-PEPP sports program development director, at 0915-4046464 or log on to www.palawanpawnshoptennis.com.

John David wore down Andre Sing, 6-4, 6-3, to pocket the 12-U diadem then scored a 1-0 (ret.) win over his same rival in the 14-U finals of the nationwide circuit backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusive distributor of Slazenger, the official ball.

“We take pride in producing future stars since our year-long, nationwide circuit gives these young players, including the Velezes, Tugades, Enriquez, Bentillos and Madis, the chance to measure up against each other in highly competitive tournaments,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.