TOP SEED Tracy Llamas and unranked Al Francis Andrade copped two titles each in the 2016 Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional tennis at Vistec Tennis Club in Roxas City yesterday.
Llamas, a rising star from La Carlota in Negros Occidental, mastered Louise Clavaton twice—6-3, 6-1 in the girls’ 18-Under finals and 7-5, 6-4 in 16-U.
Andrade matched that feat in the boys’ side of the Group 3 tournament circuit presented by Slazenger as the unfancied Kalibo bet humbled top seed Lorenzo Legaspi, 6-2, 6-3, to pocket the 16-U title and overpowered Justin Alba, 6-0, 6-1, in the premier 18-U championship.
“It has been an inspiring start not only for us but for these young players as well,” said Palawan Pawnshop CEO Bobby Castro.
Andrea Suace lived up to her billing as the top-seeded bet from Iloilo crushed Jane Diangco, 6-2, 6-3, to cop the girls’ 14-U crown while local bet and No. 3 DJ John Guillano stunned top seed Angelo Mejia, 6-2, 1-6, 10-6, to snare the boys’ title.
Deean Joy Dapiton pulled off a 6-3, 6-0 victory over fellow unranked bet Prudelyn Pania to snatch the girls’ 12-U plum.
OTHER WINNERS: Angelo Mejia, boys’ 12-U; Ella Fullo, 10-unisex