Young Rivera nets 3 titles in S Kudarat tilt

MANILA, Philippines - Shaina Rivera put on a strong performance to rack up three titles, including the premier girls’ 18-and-under crown, while John Emmanuel Estrope ruled two divisions in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age-group tournament presented by Babolat in Sultan Kudarat last Monday.

The unranked Rivera, a 13-year-old find from Monkayo Compostela Valley, blanked top seed Lyndie Bisnar in the semis then trounced No. 2 Abegail Icoy, 5-3, 4-1, to claim the 18-and-U diadem in the four-day event put up by Philta and sponsored by Palawan Pawnshot and Technosports, distributor of Babolat.

As fifth seed, Rivera also stunned No. 1 and local ace Carlyn Bless Guarde, 5-3, 0-4, 10-7, in the 16-and-U semis then whisked off unranked Ebony Ronco, 4-0, 4-1, to clinch the crown at the Isulan Tennis Club.

“I want to thank my sponsor Romy Chan for inviting me to train under the Philippine Tennis Academy,” said Rivera, who also took the 14-and-U crown with a 4-0, 4-2 rout of Minet Bentillo to complete an impressive three-title sweep in the tournament hosted by Gov. Teng Mangudadatu.

The third seeded Estrope smothered No. 5 Eduardo Bagaforo, 4-1, 4-0, to claim the boys’ 18-and-U diadem then beat unseeded Jarel Edanga via the same score in the 32-player, 16-and-U category.

Sultan Kudarat’s Vince EJ Tugade, 12, also annexed two titles, repulsing Edanga, 2-4, 4-2, 10-7, in the boys’ 14-and-U and stunning top seed Marc Directo, 4-2, 5-3, in the 12-and-U class.

Guarde bagged the 12-and-U title with a 4-1, 4-0 romp over Jazelle Madis while the eight-year-old Bentillo, also from Sultan Kudarat, copped the 10-unisex crown with a 4-2, 4-1 win over Ma. Angela Novis.

“Rivera’s remarkable three-title romp speaks well of our program to provide as a venue for young talents to showcase their skills and talent. For sure, there are many more young players waiting to be tapped,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.