Baisa eyes 6th straight PPS romp

STREAKING Brice Baisa sets out for another two-title romp in the Palawan Pawnshop junior tennis circuit even as Sandra Bautista seeks to dominate the girls’ side in the Zentro National Championships unfolding today (Thursday) at the Zentro Recreational Event courts in Apalit, Pampanga.

Baisa gets the top seeding the boys’ premier category following a sweep of the 18- and 16-and-under titles in the Iloilo, Roxas City, Bacolod, Imus and Cainta, Rizal stops of the country’s longest talent-search presented by Dunlop.

But the rising Puerto Princesa star faces a formidable challenge in pursuit of a sixth “double” as siblings Frank and France Dilao, along with Kianfrederick Sulit, Cyrus Javier, Teddy del Rosario, Jr. and Seth Torrecampo go all-out to halt his streak and fuel their respective title bids in the Group I tournament held under the PPS-PEPP program put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Frank and France Dilao, however, take the 1-2 rankings in 16-U play with Baisa settling for No. 3 followed by Zachary Morales, Torrecampo, Arthur Joson, Albert Manigque and Sulit, respectively.

Bautista, meanwhile, eyes a strong start coming off a break as she banners the 16-U field that includes Erynne Ong, Cadee Dagoon, Ronielle Oliveros and Ayl Gonzaga. The Imus, Cavite lass also top-bills the 18-U division that also features No. 2 Jean Silva, Estela Frias, Shiloh Cruz, Angelica de Jesus, Glydel Guevarra, Son de Lee Escanilla and Althea Liwag.

“To all the Dragonflies fans, I know there may be some irregularities next season, but I will do my best in the given environment so that I can give you good news. See you soon,” Sotto added.

While the team is looking forward to a better campaign in the coming season, Hiroshima fully supports Sotto’s bid to make it to the NBA. Sotto is reportedly joining the Utah Jazz minicamp on May 30 and 31.

“There is an option to sign with an NBA team in his contract, so if he signs with an NBA team this summer, there is a possibility that his contract with Hiroshima will be cancelled. In that situation, we as a club are prepared with another option,” said Hiroshima General Manager Shuji Okazaki.

In any case, Okazaki said the team will make further announcement in September, especially since Sotto is also expected to see action for the Gilas Pilipinas squad in the FIBA World Cub Slated for August-September in Manila.

“Around September, we are scheduled to officially announce the contract situation of Kai Sotto. Not just the workouts in the United this summer, but the World Cup is also coming up this August and let’s all look forward to Kai Sotto’s performance and growth,” Okazaki added.

Sotto played 24 games with the Adelaide 36ers in the Australian NBL before joining Hiroshima, where he averaged 8.92 points, 6.08 boards, 1.38 assists, and 1.29 blocks, helping the team reach the playoffs before bowing to the Chiba Jets.

Kai Sotto Japan B. League

Ababa also shot an eagle on the par-5 No. 2 but fumbled with three frontside birdies although he recovered in time with a four-birdie binge at the back to shoot a 69 and match flightmate Ho’s three-under card for joint second in the P2.5 million championship which used to be part of the country’s version of four majors.

Comebacking Toru Nakajima also hit two late backside birdies to card a 70 for a share of fourth with Reymon Jaraula, Nilo Salahog and back-to-back The Country Club Invitational champion Guido van der Valk, while Keanu Jahns, runner-up to absentee Tony Lascuña in the inaugural Villamor Match Play Invitational last November, bucked a twoover 38 card with a birdie-eagle feat from No. 12 to lead the 71 scorers, who included pro-am winner Jay Bayron, Marvin Dumandan, Rolando Marabe, Jr. and Gerald Rosales.

But the day belonged to Rates, who flourished despite lack of competitive play in the first five legs of this year’s circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

“I really didn’t expect to score this low. I just tried to relax and hit as many fairways and greens,” said Rates, who battled back from six shots down in regulation then edged Finland’s Janne Kaske on the second playoff hole to snatch the PGT Asia Summit Crown in Lipa City, Batangas five years ago.

But he has struggled since, going winless in 2019 and in bubble tournaments during the pandemic. The diminutive shotmaker from Mt. Malarayat skipped the Visayan swing of this year’s circuit due to illness, wound up 26th at Caliraya Springs and didn’t see action again in the recent Luisita Championship.