Lim, Mercado split MVP honors in PPS Lanao

BENEDICY Lim overpowered No. 2 Pete Bandala, 6-2, 6-1, to capture the boys’ 14-and-under crown and finished second in 16-U play while Quezon City’s Chloe Mercado matched the local bet’s output in the girls’ side as they shared the MVP honors in the Lanao del Norte National Juniors Tennis Championships at the MCC Center in Tubod last Monday.

The top-seeded Lim, from Maranding, Lal a, dropped just four games in three matches, including a shutout win over fourth-ranked Deen Lanticse in the semis, then clipped Bandala, who struggled past third seed Vincent Nadal, 7-6(7), 6-3, to clinch the top honors in one of the nine age-group divisions of the Group 1 tournament presented by Dunlop.

Mercado likewise lived up to her top billing in 16-U category, holding off No.

2 Kate Imalay from Cebu, 6-4, 6-1, although she fell short of her two-title bid when she rammed into a solid top seed and doubles partner Judy Ann Padilla from Ozamiz City, who survived the former’s gutsy stand and eked out a tough 7-6(8), 4-6, 10-7 decision.