CIELO MAY GONZALES, AJ Acabo, Juvels Velos and Ariel Cabaral emerged the top finishers in the premier girls and boys divisions of the recently concluded Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP) Elite Eight Playoffs in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Mmss. Gonzales and Acabo topped the girls’ 18-and-under-section while Messrs, Velos and Cabaral ruled the boys’ side of the same age bracket of this event run and organized by Jean Henri Lhuillier of Cebuana Lhuillier.

Other winners were Shaner Gabaldonand Etha Nadine Seno (12-under), Mitchellen Cruispero and Kathlyn Bugna (14-under) and Cadee Jan Dagoon ad Khalilah Kate Imalay (16-under) in the girls’ section and Everett Pete Niere and Sherwin Brylle Gom-os (12-under), Everett Gil Niere and Claudwin Seven Tonaco (14-under) and Josh Benedict Lim and Matthew Morris (16-under) in the boys’ category.

Eilythia Comia and Everette Ezo Niere were atop the 10-and-under unisex division.

The 18 emerged out of the 72 — 36 from Luzon and the National Capital Region and 36 from the Visayas and Mindanao — that saw action in the prestigious age group event.

They will all represent the country in an international tournament in Malaysia this November.

“We believe in the power of sports to change lives. Supporting platforms like the UTP Elite Eight Playoffs allows us to help young athletes develop their skills, build their confidence, and represent the Philippines with pride on the global stage,” said Mr. Lhuillier.

San Carlos City has served as host for the UTP Elite Eight Playoffs for three consecutive years, thanks to Mayor Rene Gustilo, Vice-Mayor Criston Carmona, Congressman Gerardo Valmayor Jr., and Congressman Jules Ledesma.

The tournament is made possible through the support of Cebuana Lhuillier, alongside UNILAB, Alternatives Food Corp., NAVEGAR, STI, Dunlop, Madison Galeries, and Mr. Freeze, and is officially sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association. — Joey Villar

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