Local bets eye PPS Mlang tennis crowns

MANILA, Philippines – Tenielle Madis hopes to cash in on her solid form while Cedric Pamplona tries to nail the elusive crown as they banner the field in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Mlang leg regional age group tennis tournament beginning today at the Mlang Tennis Club.

Madis, one of host province’s rising stars, seeks a follow-up to her 10-unisex romp in last week’s PPS-PEPP Tuna Festival in Gen. Santos City but the runner-up in the recent Olivarez Cup expects a tougher challenge this time from Reyman Saldivar Jr., Jilian Manangking and Jasmen Kadalum among others.

“We invite all tennis aficionados and fans from neighboring tennis clubs to watch and participate in the four-day tournament which serves as part of Mlang LGU’s sports development program,” said host Mayor Russel Abonado.

Pamplona, another local bet and a consistent semifinalist in past PPS-PEPP age-groupers, guns for another shot at the crown as he vies in the boys’ 12-and-under class as the second seed with JV Comendador heading the 16-player draw of the tournament sponsored by the country’s leading pawnshop, remittance and claim center Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger.

“While we expect the local bets to shine, we also see a number of young players from other towns and cities to emerge from this tournament, which is part of our year-long, nationwide program to develop the sport and help discover future stars,” said Palawan Pawnshop president-CEO Bobby Castro, who marked his 63rd birthday the other day.

They include the young but talented players from Pikit, Malita, Kidapawan, Sultan Kudarat, Digos, Davao, Koronadal, Kabacan, Midsayap and Matti.

Danna Abad, Nicole Bautista, Jazzele Madis and Winona Cabardo head the girls’ 16- and 18-U cast while Vince Tugade, Klyde Lagarde, Wilfred Bentillo, Lordrens Pacheco and Ronnel Aboy are the players to watch in the boys’ 16- and 18-U sides of the tournament backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusive distributor of Slazenger, the official ball.