Estrope, Guarde top Sultan Kudarat regional netfest

MANILA, Philippines - John Emmanuel Estrope overpowered John Otico, 4-2, 4-0, to capture the boys’ 18-and-under crown and lead the local bets’ romp in the Philta-Palawan Pawnshop Regional Age- Group Championships presented by Babolat at the Isulan Capitol Tennis Club in Sultan Kudarat last weekend.

Estrope, a native of Isulan, toppled top seed Mikho Ringian, 5-3, 4-2, in the semis before stamping his class over Otico in the finals of the premier division of the four-day tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and Technosports and held for the first time in this progressive province.

“The whole province of Sultan Kudarat wants to thank Philta, Palawan Pawnshop and Babolat for this project which is a big help to our young players who didn’t have to go far to play in top-level tournaments,” said Gov. Teng Mangudadatu.

Caryn Bless Guarde topped the girls’ 12-and-under class with a 4-2, 4-0 victory over Kate del Socorro while fellow Isulan bet and top seed Mark Alfred Directo beat Eric Comendador, 4-1, 4-0, to bag the boys’ unisex crown.

Precian Rivera also shared the spotlight by sweeping two titles, edging Sharyl delos Santos twice, 5-3, 5-4(2), in the girls’ 18-U finals and 4-2, 1-4, 10-8, in the 16-U category.

Delos Santos earlier pocketed the 14-U diadem with a 4-0, 4-1 victory over Guarde while Ringia took the boys’ 16-U diadem with a 4-1, 4-0 rout of Otico and Jeric delos Santos outlasted Eduardo Bagaforo, 4-1, 3-5, 10-7, to bag the boys’ 14-U title.

Janus Al-Najeeb Ringia copped the boys’ 12-and-U title with a 4-2, 4-2 win over Directo.

Bobby Castro, COO of Palawan Pawnshop, the chief backer of the year-long, nationwide talent-search sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association, and Guillermo Nocom, president of Technosports, exclusive distributor of Babolat, have reiterated their continued support to provide the youth nationwide a series of tournaments where they could hone their talent.