Jeson Patrombon snatched victory from the clutches of defeat, bucking an opening set defeat and fighting back from 1-4 down in the second to hack out a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 decision over Vicente Anasta and claim the PPS-PEPP Pintaflores Festival men’s singles Open crown in San Carlos, Negros Occidental recently.
Staring at defeat as Anasta sustained his superb all-around game to move two games away from posting a reversal, Patrombon put up one big shot after the other to break his doubles partner in the sixth game of the second frame then swept the next four in varying fashions to force a decider at the San Carlos City tennis courts.
Seizing the momentum, Patrombon then broke Anasta again in the fourth and eight games of the third set to pound the victory and extend his domination of the Open tournaments under the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala circuit that also drew some of the country’s leading and rising junior players.
“Patrombon’s character and resiliency should inspire our young players as they face bigger, tougher challenges in pursuit of their dreams,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro of the country’s top player who dominated the Gov. Umali Cup, Fr. Suarez Cup, Brookside Open and Actifit Open early this year.
Patrombon and Anasta later teamed up to thwart Fritz Verdad and Joshua Kinaadman, 7-6(4), 6-4, and secure the doubles diadem in the annual event held as part of the host city’s Pintaflores Festival celebrations and organized by Criston Carmona.
Sharing the spotlight were the Legends division winners with Josephus Cerna-Remio Sagansay crushing Danny Bato-Eduardo Rodriguez, 8-4, in the 60s category; Justo Cerna-Roche Pilares posting the same scoreline over Jojie Ansola-Paul Allego in the 50s class; and Jojo Enad-Guendel Orcullo, who ripped Mon Hitosis-John Landqvist, 8-3, in the 40s section.
Kim Glanza-Mika Medina, meanwhile, wore down Chloe Tortusa-Mia Gemida, 8-6, to snare the women’s doubles crown in the event sponsored by Mayor Rene Gustillo, Rep. Gerardo Valmayor and Gov. Bong Lacson.
Meanwhile, action shifts to Roxas City on Nov. 7-11 before Iloilo hosts the next stop on Nov. 15-18 featuring the nine-division juniors play and the Legends 40s, 50s and 60s men’s doubles. For details, call PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.