Balaoing rules PPS, grabs 3 titles

Angil Jay Balaoing toppled three top seeded rivals, including Bruce Hurtado in the centerpiece 18-and-under division, to score a rare feat in singles play of the PPS-PEPP Gen. Santos regional age-group tennis tournament at the Gen. Santos City Tennis Courts recently.

The unranked Balaoing actually shocked Hurtado in the semifinals, 6-1, 7-5, before routing Jude Padao, 6-1, 6-0, to clinch the premier crown in the Group 2 tournament.

As No. 2, Balaoing also crushed Padao, 6-1, 6-0, in the 14-U finals and overpowered Karl Palo from Kidapawan, 6-0, 6-2, to run away with the 16-U diadem and complete a three-title romp in the five-day event which served as part of the Mindanao swing of the year-long, nationwide circuit.

He actually made it four-of-four as he teamed up with Andrei Padao to beat Hurtado and Palo, 8-2, in the 18-U doubles.

April Minette Bentillo failed to match Balaoing’s feat but shared the Most Valuable Player honors with two victories, beating local bet Angela Ripdos, 6-1, 6-1, in the girls’ 14-U finals and holding off Ma. Angelica Novis from Malita, 6-4, 6-4, for the 16-U crown.