Masters Top 8 kicks off new jr tennis season

THE top and rising players from four age groups try to come out strong from the holiday break as they clash in the Masters Top 8 which got under way Wednesday at the SRJI Center Mall courts in San Carlos, Negros Occidental.

Ivan Manila from San Jose (Nueva Ecija), Butuan’s Vince Serna and local bets Kirby Ramacho and Herman Illusorio head the boys’ cast in the 18-under class while Judy Anne Padilla from Ozamiz, La Carlota’s Alexa Milliam, AJ Acabo from Zamboanga Sibugay and Claire Nocos from Lapu-lapu, Cebu lead the chase in the girls’ premier side of the event presented by Dunlop.

The tournament, sponsored by Mayor Rene Gustilo and Vice Mayor Criston Carmona and which offers ranking points, features the Top 8 in various age categories as part of the Palawan Pawnshop-palawan Express Pera Padala’s incentive for those who did well in last year’s edition of the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro.

It also serves as the kickoff leg of another full calendar, busy season not just for the youngsters but also for the country’s top men’s and women’s players (Open) and veterans (Legends) to be highlighted by championships that coincide with the host province’s festival celebrations.

The year’s second event from January 11 to 17 will be the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City to be followed by the Gov. Fredenil Castro tournament from January 19 to 24 in Roxas City, Capiz, Mayor Alfredo Benitez juniors from January 26 to 31 in Bacolod City and the Mayor Luigi Marcel Goni tilt from February 2 to 7 in Bais City, Negros Oriental.

Bacolod Lanao’s Mcleen Gomera and Sta. Rosa City’s Frank and France Dilao banner the boys’ 16-under field Jarata from La Union spearheading the title chase in the girls’ side of the event backed by Protektodo, Palawanpay, Unified Tennis Philippines and Universal Tennis Rating.