Fourth ranked Joseph Enriquez outduelled sibling Marc, 6-4, 6-2, to become the first PPS-PEPP Hon. Richard Gomez Open tennis champion at Ormoc Midtown Tennis Courts in Leyte recently.
Enriquez, 20, dropped just five matches in three matches before ousting Venz Alforque, 6-3, 6-3, in the semifinals.
He pocketed the top R20,000 purse put up by Gomez as part of his effort and commitment to boost local sports. The event was sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala and presented by Dunlop.
The victory earned Enriquez a wild card slots, plus free airfare and hotel accommodation in three other PPS-PEPP Open tournaments, including the Ibalong Open in Legazpi City, Albay, the Pintaflores Festival in San Carlos City and the Iloilo Open.
“We thank Mayor Gomez and the organizing committee for joining our ever-growing list of age-groupers and Open championships nationwide. This guarantees a steady flow of talents, which we hope to nurture through our weekly tournaments,” said Palawan Pawnshop president Bobby Castro.
