Judy Ann Padilla and Pete Bandala bring their act to Zamboanga del Sur, confident of extending their dominant run in the PPS-PEPP JNY Cup national age-group tournament beginning Saturday at the Moltec and LGU tennis courts in Molave.
Padilla, 14, is coming off a sweep of three girls’ singles crowns in Liloy, Zambo del Norte with the rising Ozamiz City star, who also scored a twinkill in Sindangan, hopeful of reasserting her might against the likes of Christine Gulagula, Cielo Gonzales, Regee Bulawan, AJ Acabo in her age group.
She’s also upbeat of repeating against Jalia Elumba and Chloe Omos in 16-U play and braces for a strong rebound from fancied Sydney Enriquez in the premier 18-U side of the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop.
Bandala also shoots for a third straight win in the 10-unisex section of the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro.
But the Dipolog ace expects a tougher outing against the likes of Stephanie Omos and Dem Lanticse and in the 12-U category that drew Wyn Sanchez, Andres Omos and Garlandson Ardiente, among others.
A tight battle is also seen in other divisions, including the boys’ 14-U which features a 32-player draw headed by Aslan Carbonilla, Vinz Bering, Penshoppe Erquita and Cyd Villamar with Carbonilla also vying in the 16-U side topbilled by Nash Agustines from Oroquieta, who took the crown in Liloy.
Local ace Eric Tangub, from Tukuran, also goes for a repeat in the 18-U class but sees a tough outing against Al Dree Pan, Nilo Ledama and Siegrred Pepito while Cielo Gonzales and Marlyn Mesiona brace for another clash for the girls’ 12-U trophy.
Meanwhile, the circuit, sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg, goes to Lanao del Norte for the Maranding leg on March 12-16.
