Age-group tennis draws 100 netters

SOME 100 netters are expected to compete in the Mayor Rodrigo and Inday Sara Duterte Araw ng Dabaw Age-Group Tennis Championships that unfurls at the Ecoland Phase 4 Tennis Club courts Saturday.

Players from Cotabato, Kidapawan, South Cotabato, Koronadal, General Santos City, Compostela Valley, Tagum, Digos City and Cagayan de Oro are expected to put up stiff opposition against homegrown talents.

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The free-registration event, which is co-presented by Mayor Rodrigo and Vice Mayor Inday Sara Duterte through the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO), features the 10-under unisex, boys and girls 12-under, 14-under, 16-under and 18-under categories.

The three-day Philippine Tennis Association (Philta)-sanctioned competition offers P2,000 cash prize to the champion and P1,000 to the runner-up. They will also receive medals.

Local college and university players along with Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa)-bound netters are also expected to see action in the annual event that had produced top caliber players.

Eloisa Collo of Digos City, Kurt Gerapusco, Jeleardo Amazona of ComVal, Jenni Dizon, Andre Banate and Juan Paolo Cansino of Davao City are among the seeded players expected to compete.

This will be the first tournament the Eco 4 Tennis Club will host since it housed the wake of former No. 3-ranked RP player Pop Sabandon late in February where current No. 1 Johnny Arcilla played a couple of exhibition matches to raise funds for his friend's burial expenses.

Slazenger tennis balls will be used in the tournament. (MLSA)