Tugade, Madis top PPS S Kudarat netfest

Vince EJ Tugade and young Tenielle Madis flashed superb form to post a pair of victories in their respective sides and share top honors in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Sultan Kudarat age-group tennis tournament at the Isulan Capitol Tennis Club last Monday.

The top seeded Tugade proved dominating from the first serve to the last point, dropping just three games to topple No. 2 Klyde Lagarde, 6-3, 6-0, and pocket the boys’ 16-andunder crown. The local ace dropped two more games in the 18-U finals but still mastered Lagarde of Gen. Santos City en route to a 6-3, 6-2 romp.

Madis, 10, matched that two-title romp, crushing Jillian Manangking, 4-0, 4-0, to claim the 10-unisex crown before scoring a 6-3, 6-1 win, also against Manangking, to pocket the 12- U diadem in the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger and hosted by Gov. Pax Mangudadatu.

“It’s inspiring to see young players like Madis winning not just one but two titles. And this is what this circuit is all about – to discover and develop future stars,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. We also thank Sultan Kudarat for its junior and grassroots tennis program which is a big boost to the sport and the province as well.”

Danna Abad, meanwhile, pulled off a thrilling 6- 4, 5- 7, 12- 10 win over fellow Davaoeño Patricia Velez, to snare the girls’ 18-U plum in the five-day event sanctioned by Philta and backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusive distributor of Slazenger, the official ball.