Unified Tennis Philippines names National Junior Tennis Team members
The UTP national junior tennis team is composed of 24 tennis players—top four boys and girls from the U-14, U-16 and U-18 categories. |
Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP) announced that it has formed the first-ever national junior tennis team which will represent the country in several top tournaments sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Asian Tennis Federation.
The UTP national junior tennis team is composed of 24 tennis players—top four boys and girls from the U-14, U-16 and U-18 categories which were selected based on UTP’s national ranking system and over 125 UTP-sanctioned tournaments all over the country.
The U14 players comprise of John David Velez, Brent Sigmond Cortez, Rainier Angelo Selmar, Rupert Ohrelle Tortal, Macie Carlos, Alexa Joy Milliam, Casey Padilla, and Alexandra Eala who bagged the top spot in the prestigious Les Petit 14 and Under European Championships in France.
Eala’s sibling Michael Francis, Stephen Zion Guia, John David Velez, Laurenz Quitara, Rovie Baulete, Anna Laura De Myer, Pherl Bless Cordero, and Denise Bernardo meanwhile headline the U16 category.
Manuel Balce III, Marc Nicole Suson, and Arthur Craig Pantino, who clinched an international doubles title in the Hong Kong ITF Juniors Tournament, on the other hand comprise the male representatives of the U18 Category.
The older Eala who made it to quarterfinal round at the China Junior in Chengdu, will also join this catgory.
Bea Francesca Acena, Elizabeth Abarquez, Melanie Faye Dizon, and Mary Aubrey Calma meanwhile make up the U18 female delegation.
Guia, Suson, Pherl Coderos, De Myer, and Bernardo will also be competing in the 10th ITF Malacca International Junior Championship in Malaysia.
“I am very thankful to UTP for the chance to play in the ITF International Junior Championship in Malaysia. This is my first time to compete abroad and I am very excited,” shared De Myer.