PPS-PEPP Pikit netfest unfolds

MANILA, Philippines - Pikit, Cotabato hosts the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age group tennis tournament for the first time starting today with keen competition seen in various categories of the event set at the Pikit Tennis Club.

Mayor Muhyryn Sultan-Cusi has ensured the successful staging of the event, which features a full-packed 64-player field in the boys’ 14-and-under category and a number of 32-player draws in both sides of the Group 5 tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association headed by president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

“We have invited all the young players here in Mindanao to compete in our first PPS-PEPP tournament with all our LGUs participating to help ensure the orderly and successful conduct of the event,” said Sultan-Casi. “We are very honored to be included in the Palawan Pawnshop’s junior tennis circuit.”

Eric Comendador and Kurt Haro headline the boys’ 14-U cast that also includes JV Comendador, Steve Aton, Joross Manangking, Carlo Ferolino, Rodick Litang and Samanudin Abdul while Danna Abad and Jazzelle Madis, along with Ma. Angelica Novis, Jonn Nadela, Arnie Diaz, Jaonne Gornez, Pauline Binoya and local bet Jillian Manangking banner the 32-player roster in the girls’ 14-U section of the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Technifibre.

“Through the years, it has been the commitment of Palawan Pawnshop to provide tournaments for our young and aspiring players, especially in the countryside,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro. “This tournament will surely help promote and develop the sport and inspire young players from Pikit to achieve a higher level of play.”

The young Abad from Davao is also seeing action in the premier 18- and 16-U classes while Novis and Tenielle Madis lead the field in the girls’ 12-U category and Cedric Pamplona, Madis, Manangking, and Reyman Saldivar are tipped to slug it out for top honors in the 10-unisex group.