Sportswatch

5th Abalos Cup gets going at Wack Wack West course

A BIGGER fifth edition of the Mayor Benhur Abalos Golf Cup fires off today at the West course of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City.

A brand-new Mitsubishi car, two golf carts, two scooters and motorcycles await the ace makers among the 150 players in the event presented by SM, DDT Konstract and Mandaluyong Golf Club.

Playing to a Double Peoria format, a total of 14 titles will be given away in the tournament.

Abalos will lead the ceremonial tee off along with VIP guests Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales and Rep. JV Ejercito, Wack Wack president Philip Juico, Mandaluyong Golf Club president Edward Isidoro and Charlene Abalos.

The event, supported by Smart, San Miguel Corp., Bingo Bonanza Corp., Greenfield Dev. Corp., 3D and Ben’s Burjer, SMDC, Meralco, Globe, Pagcor, St. Francis Square, DMCI, Expedition Services, Tracsom Builders, Unilab, and The Address@WW, aims to generate funds for the Ciara Marie Foundation, which extends health and education assistance to indigent families in far-flung areas.

Tennis academy aces to see action in Malaysia, Thailand

THE PHILIPPINE Tennis Academy (PTA), a privately funded tennis development program launched last year, will send two of its young trainees to international tournaments in Malaysia and Thailand.

Khim Iglupas, 13, from Iligan City, and Arthur Pantino, 11, from Ormoc, are to see action in Asian Tennis Federation tournaments in Kuching, Sarawak, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and Bangkok, starting August.

Pantino, a diminutive power hitter who has been playing in older age groups after dominating 12-and-under local tournaments, may also be sent to California to play in 12-under event leading up to the Orange Bowl tournament in Florida.

“For his size and age, Arthur plays a power game similar to that of Andre Agassi while Khim has more variety in her shots,” said program director Andy Maglipon.

The PTA patterns its training schedule after programs in Spain as well as after the model that worked before for former national tennis aces Felix Barrientos and Nino Alcantara, added Maglipon.

Kasibulan football program visits Pasig school today

ABOUT 500 players and 60 coaches are expected to participate when the Kasibulan Grassroots Football program swings by Rizal High School in Pasig starting today.

The three-day event for children aged 6 to 12 is an integral part of the program aimed at searching for talents to form the core of the national side aiming to qualify for the 2019 Fifa Under-17 World Cup.

Members of the men’s and women’s national teams are expected to grace the event organized by the National Capital Region Football Association headed by its president Rolly Tulay, who is also Philippine Football Federation general secretary.

The free football seminar, backed by Vitamilk Champ and Pagcor, is conducted in cooperation with the city government of Pasig led by Mayor Bobby Eusebio.

“We are very happy to support the kids in this developmental program,” said Faline Sano of the Vitamilk Brand Team.

Puentevella, World Series ball squads Scoop guests

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee chair and weightlifting president Monico Puentevella will discuss the country’s participation in the London Olympic Games in the Scoop Sa Kamayan weekly session at Kamayan Restaurant-Padre Faura.

Also guesting are officials and members of the youth softball and baseball teams that will carry the country’s flag in three separate World Series set in the United States.