Top netters eye slots in WTA future stars

Sixteen of the country’s rising tennis stars gear up for a fierce showdown as they vie for berths in the WTA Future Stars in Singapore next month.

Alexandra Eala and Carlyn Bless Guarde banner the field in the 14-andunder and 16-U divisions, respectively, of the qualifiers, sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association and sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier, featuring the top eight in each side in the current Philta rankings.

Joining Eala in the 14-U category are Macie Carlos, Miles Vitaliano, Sydney Ezra Enriquez, Minette April Bentillo, Bliss Bayking, Ellaine Rose Bahonsua and Kiana Louis De Asis

Elizabeth Abarquez and Mary Aubrey Calma, on the other hand, will crowd Guarded in the 16- U section along with Gennifer Lysandra Pagente, Tracy Cheldette Llamas, Rachelle Patricia Velez, Melanie Faye Dizon and Rafael Jean Villanueva.

The elims is set Sept. 16- 18 at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig.

“This tournament is an attempt to legitimize the whole process of determining the athletes that will best represent our country in an international and prestigious tennis competition. Through this qualifying tournament, we hope to have better and higher chances of taking home the trophy for the WTA Future Stars tournament this year,” said Philta chairman and Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.