Pages pulls off twinkill in Philta-Palawan netfest

CEBU’s fast rising junior tennis netter Jana Pages stamped her class as she pulled off a twinkill in the 9th Philta-Palawan Pawnshop Regional Age-Group Championships, winning the Girls 18-Under and 16-Under titles yesterday at the Consolacion International Tennis Center in Laray, Consolacion.

Pages, 13, of Bright Academy, rode on the momentum of her recent participation in the Malaysian ATF 14-Under tournaments, to beat Claire Lazaga, 4-0, 4-2, for the Girls 18-Under title and Shyne Villareal, 5-3, 4-1, for the Girls 16-Under crown.

"It's my first tournament after the trip and winning two titles, including my first in the Girls 18, makes me very happy. Playing against internationally-ranked players in Malaysia really boosted my confidence," said Pages, who was also named as the Most Valuable Player in the tournament.

After bowing to Pages in the 16-Under final, Villareal secured the 14-Under title after defeating Zethley Mae Alferez. Alferez ended her campaign by upsetting topseed Kristin Renee Salimbangon, 4-0, 4-1, for the Girls 12-Under title.

First title

In the 10-under unisex, eight-year-old Kristofer Cesar Salimbangon finally took his first title after routing Danielle Ann Rumbines, 4-1, 4-0.

“This day is the happiest day of my tennis playing life,” said Salimbangon.

Francis Gener Lambayan secured the Boys 12-Under title after beating Karl Baran, 4-0, 4-2; while Jan Godfrey Seno defeated top player Fernando Jose Arguelles in the Boys 14-Under division.

However, Seno to make it a double victory when he lost the Boys 16-Under title to Manila’s Stefan Suarez, 4-1, 4-1. Suarez was a double champion as he secured the Boys 18-Under title after defeating Jessie Daniel Villarin, 4-2,5-4 (1).

The 10th leg will resume on Sept. 28 to Oct. 1 at the same venue.

Philta regional vice-president and Palawan Pawnshop chief operating officer Bobby Castro was overwhelmed with the performance of the Cebuano junior players.

“It’s time for our young players from Cebu City to display their talent. We’re hoping to discover more athletes who can be trained for future international tournaments,” Castro.

The winners in all categories will be tapped to represent the country in some International Tennis Federation tournaments in Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and South Korea with all expenses to be shouldered by Palawan Pawnshop.