PPS Iloilo: Brodeth seeks ‘double’
Kimi Brodeth hopes to ride the momentum of her title romp in the Masters Top 8, gunning for no less than two titles in the PPS-PEPP Iloilo City national juniors tennis championships, which get going Wednesday at LaPaz Plaza courts.
The Ormoc City star turned back Bacolod’s Hannah Divinagracia, 4-6, 6-0, 6-0, to claim the girls’ 16-U trophy in last Monday’s Masters Top 8 in San Carlos, Negros Occidental.
The event kicked off another busy season for the country’s leading and rising players in the junior ranks.
Brodeth, who racked up several PPS-PEPP leg titles in last year’s edition of the country’s longest talent search presented by Dunlop, will not only be shooting for her age-group crown but also for the 18-U plum.
Three other campaigners who shone in the Masters Top 8 are also in the fold, including boys’ 12-U winner Gabrio Serillo, girls’ 12-U champion Maristella Torrecampo, and girls’ 14-U titlist Jana Diaz, who, however, has opted to compete in the 16-U.
Over 150 entries are vying for titles in nine age-group divisions with the 10-U category back in the PPS-PEPP calendar.
Ma. Caroliean Fiel, finalist in last week’s Masters’ girls’ 12-U class, headlines the mixed cast that includes Naseem Serillo, Prince Crisosto and Francisco de Juan III.
Vince Serna and Ariel Cabaral, along with Benedict Santiago and Randy Pausanos, banners the boys’ 18-U field with Sanchena Francisco out to crowd Brodeth in the distaff side of the premier category.
Cabaral also leads the 16-U roster that also drew Reign Miravilla and siblings Frank and France Dilao with Joy Ansay and Francisco all primed to foil the projected Brodeth-Diaz title showdown.
Fierce action is also expected in the other categories with Al Tristan Licayan, Lexious Cruz, Gabrio Serillo and Rafael Santiago bracing for a spirited battle in the boys’ 14-U cast and Ansay, Torrecampo, Jan Dagoon and Alexa Cruspero tipped to dispute the girls’ crown.
Gabrio Serillo, meanwhile, looms as the player to beat in 12-U class which also features Claudwin Tonacao and siblings Gil and Pete Niere with Torrecampo and Fiel bracing for a fiery duel in their side of the battle.
Meanwhile, Roxas City, Capiz will host the next leg — the Gov. Fredenil Castro tournament — on 19 to 24 January.
The Mayor Alfredo Benitez juniors tilt, on the other hand, is slated on 26 to 31 January in Bacolod City to be followed by the Mayor Luigi Marcel Goni tournament on 2 to 7 February in Bais City, Negros Oriental.