Flores, Sacapano top Philta netfest

MANILA, Philippines - Luke Flores and Averille Sacapano came away with two victories each to dominate the Philta-Palawan Pawnshop Regional age-group tennis tournament at the Ro Akeanon Tennis Club in Kalibo, Aklan last Sunday.

Flores lived up to the hype in the boys’ 18-and-under class, thwarting No. 2 Jhomar Mananis, 6-1, 7-5, in the finals. He earlier recovered from a second set meltdown to turn back Japet Marquez, 6-1, 4-6, 10-4, to cop the 16-and-U crown in the event which served as the third of the 27-stage, nationwide circuit organized and sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association.

The top seeded Sacapano bounced back from a first-set setback to repulse Frances Martinez, 4-6, 6-3, 10-8, to bag the girls’ 14-and-U diadem. She earlier claimed the 12-and-U crown with a 6-2, 7-6(8) victory over Stefannie Martin in the tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop through COO Bobby Castro and Technosports president Guillermo Nocom.

“The whole of Kalibo and Panay Island tennis community would like to thank Palawan Pawnshop and Babolat for putting up this nationwide series of tournaments for the youth,” said Noel Tamagos, president of Ro Akeanon Tennis Club.

Jean Sunio shared the spotlight by ruling the girls’ 18-and-U class, holding off Samantha Panganiban, 7-6(3), 6-4, while Ma. Camile Buensalido shocked top seed Mary Grace Zapanta, 6-3, 6-4, to capture the 16-and-U plum.