Bandala, Padilla share spotlight in Sindangan

MANILA, Philippines — Pete Rafael Bandala came away with a pair of lopsided wins in boys’ singles then sustained his fiery form in doubles play in the PPS-PEPP Mayor Labadlabad National age-group tournament in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte over the weekend.

The rising star from Dipolog City swept his way to the 10-unisex championship without dropping a set in three matches, capping his romp with a 4-0, 4-0 rout of Clint Gallenero. He also trounced Bryzen Sanchez, 6-0, 6-2, in the 12-U finals of the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop.

Bandala later teamed up with Yaela Macaraya to subdue Kevin Gallenero and Steph Omos, 8-5, and pocket the 10-U doubles crown before claiming the 12-U title with Penshoppe Erquita via an 8-0 victory over Kurtney Malmis and Miggy Omos.

Judy Ann Padilla, on the other hand, kept her win run going in the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop, winning the girls’ 14-U title with a 6-2, 6-2 romp over Christine Gulagula. The Ozamiz City find then stopped Rica Labrador, 6-2, 5-7, 10-5, to snare the 18-U diadem after Labrador shocked top seed and doubles partner Sydney Enriquez, 7-5, 6-4, in the semis.

“Padilla continues to serve as inspiration to her fellow players with her work ethic and determination while Bandala is reaping the fruits of his hard work with his string of victories in the circuit aimed at discovering and developing future stars,” said Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro.

Labrador, meanwhile, gave the crowd something to cheer about as the Sindangan ace foiled Padilla’s three-title bid with a 3-6, 6-3, 10-7 reversal in the 16-U finals.