Alforque cops 16-U title in PPS-PEPP tennis tilt

AFTER coming up short in the 18-under boys singles and doubles competitions, Cebuano netter Venz Anton Louise Alforque played with a chip on his shoulder in the 16-under boys division and went home with the crown yesterday in the Palawan Pawnshop – Palawan Express Pera Padala (PPS-PEPP) regional tennis tournament in Baybay City, Leyte.

Before the title run, Alforque, a native of City of Naga, south Cebu, absorbed a gut-wrenching semifinal defeat to Paolo Loreto, 4-6, 3-6, in the 18-under boys singles.

The bleeding continued when Alforque and partner Vhon Tudtud faltered in the 18-under boys doubles finals against the pair of Loreto and Joshua Torres, 2-8.

The bitter losses, however, didn’t deter Alforque as he vented his ire on Torres in their championship match in the 16-under boys division, 4-6, 6-3, 10-6.

While it was a remarkable comeback for Alforque, the biggest winners of the tournament were Ormoc City’s Allain Ocat and Alexa Milliam, who bagged two titles each en route to being named as the tournament’s co-MVPs.

The 12-year-old Ocat dominated Gerald Gemida, 6-1, 6-1, for the 12-under boys title before crushing Gyeim Basalo, 6-2, 6-3, for the 14-under boys trophy.

Milliam of La Carlota, Negros, for her part, bagged 12-U title by beating Corazon Lambonao, 6-1, 6-2, before whipping Aaliyah Bandalan, 6-1, 6-1, to snatch the 14-U crown.

“Given proper training and support, these two young players (Ocat and Milliam) should be among the future stars of Philippine tennis and their feats should inspire the other young players to strive and work harder,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Action in the PPS-PEPP Visayas summer tour resumes in Maasin, Leyte on Monday with over 200 entries set to compete.