Vince Serna goes all out for redemption while Ariel Cabaral tries to live up to his top billing as they try to prick Brice Baisa’s growing bubble in the PPS-PEPP National tennis juniors championships, which resumed in Bacolod Thursday.
The top seeded Serna dropped a 5-7, 3-6 setback to Baisa in the 18-U finals of the PPS-PEPP leg in Roxas City, completing the latter’s stirring back-to-back title romps in the premier division and the 16-U class after first scoring a twinkill in Iloilo.
But Serna, who is from Butuan City, has re-calibrated to guarantee a successful shot at the crown with Cabaral, along with Herman Illusorio and Kirby Ramacho also vying in the centerpiece division of the Group 2 tournament where Baisa is one of the unranked entries.
Cabaral also gets the top seeding in 16-U play with Baisa earning the No. 8 seed in the 32-player draw that includes No. 3 Kurt Barrera, third ranked Kenzo Brodeth, Reign Maravilla, Bonavent Castillo, Jeremy Napiere and Ramacho.
The country’s longest talent-search moves to Bais City, Negros Oriental on 2 to 7 February.
The chase for top honors in the distaff side at the Helvetia and Panaad courts is also expected to be fierce with Jufe-Ann Cocoy, Hannah Divinagracia, Therese Gauran and Louchelaj Estember tipped to dispute the 18-U trophy in the week-long event presented by Dunlop and sponsored by Mayor Albee Benitez.
Divinagracia also heads the cast 16-U cast, along with Masters Top 8 and PPS-Roxas leg Most Valuable Player Jana Diaz, Gauran and Estember while Alexa Cruspero, Queen Villa, Kathlyn Bugna and Andrea Agravante lead the 14-U field in the event backed by Claudio Puentevella, president of the Bacolod City Tennis Association.
