Imperial, Alanis rule PPS-PEPP Bicol Open

MANILA, Philippines – Jonathan Imperial and Nica Alanis came away with a pair of straight-set romps to capture the singles Open crowns in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Bicol Open at Lignon, DPWH-Res, Camp. Ola and Binitayan Tennis Club courts last week.

Imperial survived Legazpi City’s Justine Prulla’s tough stand in the early stage before the Naga City bet stamped his class to complete a 6-4, 6-1 victory in the men’s singles Open while Iriga City’s Alanis held off Naga City bet Julia Duminisac, 6-2, 6-4, to pocket the ladies singles Open diadem.

Camarines Sur’s Randy Asis scored a 4-6, 3-0 (ret.) win over Partido, Camarines Sur’s Glenn Vergara to snare the crown in the 30-39 age group of the tournament which drew close to 500 players and capped a two-week long tennis festival presented by Slazenger and sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop headed by president and CEO Bobby Castro.

“We thank all the participants and supporters for ensuring the successful staging of this big event, the first time that Bicol region hosted a complete tennis tournament that featured our juniors, seniors and veterans along with their counterparts from the other regions,” said Rep. Al Francis Bichara, who also cited Palawan Pawnshop’s role in tennis promotion and development in the country.

Other age group winners in the tournament, sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association and backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusive distributor of Slazenger, the official ball, were Mike Mathias from Naga City (40-44), Chino Arcangel from Legazpi City (45-49), Lito Gallenito from Sorsogon (50-54), Nasser Mortiga from Camarines Norte (55-59), Danilo Gardon from Sorsogon (60-64) and Carding Chavez from Naga City (65-69).

Iriga City’s Madeline Ramos dominated Jaeka Frias from Catanduanes, 6-0, 6-1, to pocket the ladies 19-29 age-group crown while Catanduanes’ Cheryl Macasera blasted Claire Fritzgerald from Naga City, 6-1, 6-2, for the 30-44 diadem.

The doubles winners were Deena Cruz-Cheryl Macasera of Catanduanes (girls, 19-29), Deena Cruz-Prima Frias (30-44), Pipen Bascuna-Primo Trillanes of Iriga City (mixed doubles), Naga City’s Albert Cornelio-Jonathan Imperial (men’s doubles Open), Nonong Fortuno-Bryan Cu (men’s, 30-39), Legazpi City’s Elmer Arcega-Chino Arcangel (40-44), Sorsogon’s Mateo Janaban-Jessie Matangob (45-49), Edwin Amor-Nasser Mortiga of Camarines Norte (50-54), Naga City’s Mac Ibardalosa-Miles Ivora (55-59), Lito Gallenito-I. Odiaman of Legazpi City (60-64), Naga City’s Lito Abonalla-Jess Placides (65-69) and Hector Abada-Joel Tejada from Catanduanes (70-and-above).

Meanwhile, action in the junior age-group circuit resumes April 29 with another Group 2 tournament in Puerto Princesa.

For details, call up Bobby Mangunay, PPS-PEPP regional age group tennis event organizer and sports program development director at 0915-4046464.