Guia Bandolis flashed top form and came away with a rare three-title romp while Pete Bandala extended his reign in 10-unisex play as they shared the MVP honors in the PPS-PEPP Sindangan national age-group tennis tournament in Zamboanga del Norte over the weekend.
The 14-year-old Bandolis toppled top seed Jalia Elumba, 6-0, 6-4, to rule her age-group bracket then the rising Tubod, Lanao del Norte star swept Angel Repaja twice, 6-1, 6-0, and 6-3, 6-3, to pocket the 16- and 1-U plums, respectively.
She later teamed up with sister Gwen Bandolis to thump Elumba and Christine Gulagula, 8-4, for the 14-U doubles diadem in the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop and put up by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala.
Bandala, meanwhile, picked up another victory in lopsided fashion, repeating over local bet and doubles partner Rose Mesiona, 4-1, 4-0, in the 32-player 10-unisex field. He, however, fell short of his bid in the 12-U side, bowing to fellow Dipolog bet Andrei Tan, 3-6, 4-6, although his team-up with Mesiona netted them the doubles crown in the event sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg.
Other singles winners were Polanco’s Neo Maratas (boys’ 14-U), Liloy’s Russel Daarol (boys’ 16-U), Al Ritz Pan from Dumingag, Zambo del Sur, and Cielo Gonzales from Oroquieta City while sharing the doubles honors were Marc Fernandez and Neo Maratas (boys’ 14-U), Jefferson Mallones and Aidree Pan (boys’ 18-U) and Yvonne Cuevas and Repaja (girls’ 18-U).
“It’s inspiring to see young players like Bandolis dominate even the higher divisions and it is through their exposure in the PPS-PEPP circuit that keeps them going and improving,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.
Meanwhile, Marlon Mesiona and Jerome Tecson dominated Bong Caparas and Zafero Montayre, 8-2, to notch the 50s title in the Legends division with Mateo Cabillo and Bong Matablan topping the 60s side with an 8-4 victory over Darius dela Cruz and Dino Omos.
Registration for the Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental leg on May 8-11 is ongoing with the Cainta Open featuring the country’s top players will be held on May 13-21. For details, call PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.
