MANILA, Philippines - Janus Ringia tries to bring his winning act to Mactan as he heads the field in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age-group tennis tournament presented by Slazenger at the Mactan Island Lawn and Airbase Tennis Club in Cebu today.
Ringia, 16, swept the boys’ 16- and 18-and-under crowns in Bicol last week with the top Koronadal bet upbeat of his chances for another twinkill against a field toughened by the participation of the likes of Matt Palasan and Jonelle Llavore of Cagayan de Oro, Rey Toledo and Vhon Tudtud in both divisions of the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and sanctioned by Philta.
Keen competition is also seen in the girls’ side with Davao’s Patricia Velez priming up against Cebu’s Kristin Salimbangon and Carlyn Guarde of Sultan Kudarat and CDO’s Gennifer Pagente in the 18-U section. Guarde, who also won in the Bicol stop of the circuit, backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusive distributor of Slazenger, the official ball, gains the top seeding in the 16-U class with Pagente, Salimbangon, Pink Manabat, Hazel Coderos and Shedel Gica of Cebu and Wyne Paglinawan also tipped to contend.
But a host of local bets are out to defend their turf, including Chad Cuizon, Lyra Mae Repollo, CJ Suson, Cesar Salimbangon, Bless Coderos and Kenneth Tenpre.
“Janus will have his hands full against a new set of rivals while competition in the girls’ side remains wide open, guaranteeing another spirited battle for top honors,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.
The fight for the boys’ 14-U crown is also expected to be fierce with a full-packed field of 64, led by Rupert Tortal of Surigao, Davao’s John Velez, Cesar Salimbangon and Ashton Villanueva of Ozamis City.
Tortal, Velez, Salimbangon and Villanueva also spearhead the 12-U cast with Suson, Jeane Sarap, Nicole Villar and Justine Lim fancied in the girls’ side while Chad Cuizon, Suson, Riza Coderos and Revo Lao tipped to slug it out for top honors in the 10-unisex category.
The title chase in the girls’ 14-U side also looms to be tight with Gica, Repollo, Noelle Urgello and Pearl Coderos taking the top four seedings, respectively.
For details, call up Bobby Mangunay, PPS-PEPP regional age group tennis event organizer and sports program development director at 0915-4046464.