Palawan-Bacolod age group tennis draws record field

MANILA, Philippines - The Bacolod leg of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age-group 2014 presented by Technifibre gets going today  with a record field of 250 clashing for top honors in different divisions at various tennis courts in Bacolod City.

All but one of the nine divisions on tap drew a maximum 32-player field with two classes needing to hold qualifying stages to accommodate the big number of entries in the five-day tournament held in conjunction with the city’s celebration of the Masskara Festival and sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop with Technifibre as the official ball.

So huge is the field that organizers are still looking for some venues that could host some matches outside of the Center Court Tennis Club, Monta Tennis Club, Manville Tennis Court and Montalbo’s Tennis Court.

“We didn’t expect to generate this kind of interest from our youth and those from the other provinces,” said Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella. “We invite all tennis fans to watch this Masskara Tennis Festival of Palawan Pawnshop.”

“It has been our commitment to give our young players a top-level tournament where they can pit their skills and talent and develop them into becoming future members of the national pool,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

The country’s next tennis stars Fernando Jose Arguelles and Stefan Suarez banner the field in the premier boys’ 18-and-under section while Toni Rose Raymundo and Valerie Desoyo head the 16-player ladies side of the event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association headed by president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

“This is the first time that we were able to draw this big number of participants since we started holding tennis tournaments here. Palawan Pawnshop’s circuit is indeed a big boost to local tennis,” said Philta regional vice president Bong Arguelles.

The next leg of the nationwide, year-long circuit is set Oct. 17-20 in Roxas City, Capiz.

“It’s just nice and inspiring to see this huge field this week and it’s to the credit of Palawan Pawnshop and host Bacolod for generating so much interest from among the youth in Bacolod and nearby cities and towns,” said Olivarez.

Other events on tap are the boys’ and girls’ 16-, 14-, 12-and-under and 10-unisex. For details, call up tourament secretariat at 0915-4046464.