Young netters brace for 2-week PPS grind in Lapu-Lapu

MANILA, Philippines – Multi-titled Kimi Brodeth and Mcleen Gomera set out for another title run in the PPS-PEPP junior tennis circuit as they banner the huge field in the Lapu-Lapu City Juniors Fiesta National Tennis Championships beginning Thursday, September 28, in Cebu City.

Brodeth and Gomera gain the top seeding in both the 16- and 18-and-under age categories in girls’ and boys’ divisions, respectively, although they will be as much tested as the rest of the close to 200 bidders in the Group 1 tournament marking the resumption of the country’s longest talent-search after the three-leg Davao region swing recently.

Out to foil Brodeth are Kate Imalay, Sandra Bautista and Chloe Ortega in 16-and-U class with Bautista and Ortega also going all-out to derail the fancied bet from Ormoc City in the premier category along with Nicole Batucan, Faith Banico, Joanna Vasquez and Lea Balacuit.

Gomera is also in for a tough outing against Gio Manito, Nicholas Ocat, Gerald Gemida, John Lataza, Kevin Tabura, Juvels Velos and Jan Docor in 18-and-U with Manito, Tabura and Velos, along with Kenzo Brodeth, Andre Namocatcat and siblings Christian and Crismarc Laguna, likewise vying in the 16-and-U class of the event held under the PPS-PEPP program put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Maristella Torrecampo, a rising star from Los Baños, also primes up for a shot at two titles as she headlines the field in both the girls’ 12- and 14-and-under divisions with Ma. Caroliean Fiel, Julienne Celeste and Chrystell Laguna seeking to foil her bid in 12-and-U class.

Imalay, Mae Diamante and Chrystell Laguna, meanwhile, lead the challengers in the 14-and-U play of the week-long event hosted by Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan, which serves