Velez seeks redemption at PPS-Malaybalay

MANILA, Philippines – Patricia Velez tries to regain her winning ways as she shoots for two titles in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Bukidon regional age-group tennis tournament which fires off tomorrow at the DPWH and Malaybalay Tennis Club.

Velez blew her bid in last week’s PPS-PEPP Sultan Kudarat leg when she bowed to Danna Abad in the semis of the girls’ 16-and-under section and dropped a 2-6, 6-2, 4-10 decision to local ace Carlyn Bless Guarde in the centerpiece 18-U division of the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop with Slazenger as presentor.

But the Davaoeña ace is all geared up for a sweep of the two titles, ready to take on the likes of Vanessa and Jean Tabuco and April Litanon in the 18-U side and against Andrea Buyante, Mae Zapanta and April Litanon in the 16-U category of the event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association headed by president and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez and backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusively distributor of Slazenger, the official ball and hosted by Gov. Pax Mangudadatu.

Held in honor of Rep. Florencio Flores Jr., the Group 2 tournament serves as the second stop of the circuit’s annual Rainy Season Festival following the kickoff in Sultan Kudarat where four players came away with two victories each.

“While the favorites are tipped to impose their will and strength, we expect a number of reversals from a slew of rising stars raring to prove their worth and earn ranking points,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

All participants will receive souvenir T-shirts and freebies from the host, according to Bobby Mangunay, PPS-PEPP regional age group tennis event organizer and sports program development director. For details, call 0915-4046464.