UTP tennis players win multiple gold medals in Malaysia

MANILA, Philippines: Promising young players sent by the Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP) to compete in Malaysia captured multiple gold medals in the 38th Penang Open International Juniors Tennis Championships held from November 29 to December 3, 2023.

Winning titles in the singles event were Kenzo Brodeth in the boys 14-under, Kendrick Bona in the boys 16-under, Mateo Rivas in the boys 18-under, Jana Jelena Diaz in the girls 14-under, Maria Hannah Divinagracia in the girls 16-under, and Kaye Ann Emana in the girls 18-under.

The Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP) players and coaches show off their medals at the 38th Penang Open International Juniors Tennis Championships in Malaysia. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Taking runner-up honors, meanwhile, were Ma. Caroliean Fiel in the girls 10-under, Jayden Reece Ballado in the girls 14-under, Kimi Brodeth in the girls 16-under, and Mica Ella Emana in the girls 18-under.

The UTP team also captured five doubles championships courtesy of Lexious Cruz and Kenzo Brodeth in the boys 14-under, Kendrick Bona and Mcleen Gomera in the boys 16-under, Maristella Torrecampo and Ong Zi Zuan in the girls 12-under, Jayden Reece Ballado and Jana Jelena Diaz in the girls 14-under, and Maria Hannah Divinagracia and Kimi Brodeth in the girls 16-under.

Alexandre Coyiuto and Armik Serillo bagged the silver in the boys 12-under, the same medal won by Mateo Rivas and Vice Serna in the boys 18-under.

UTP and Cebuana Lhuillier president Jean Henri Lhuillier expressed extreme pride and inspiration following the outstanding performances of the young Filipino netters in Penang, Malaysia.

In a heartfelt message, he commended their dedication, highlighting the numerous victories that brought glory to the athletes as well as the Filipino people.

«Like all roads, our athletes faced numerous bumps and hitches along the way. However, it was with their sheer effort, skill, and will that they were able to overcome these adversities and raise the Philippine flag on the international stage,» Lhuillier said.

«Not to mention that in most of the categories, our athletes were either champions or runners-up. This has been a testament to the Filipino talent we aim to cultivate,