Never under-estimate Maristella Torrecampo. The pint sized lass packs more power in her tennis game than anyone can imagine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the ongoing ITF Asia Under-14 Development Championships at the Morodok Tennis Complex the third seeded Maristella dismantled Singapore\u2019s Hannah Tay 6-2, 6-2 to storm into the semi-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t be surprised that in the near future you see her contesting against the cream of international stars at the WTA circuit. And don\u2019t be shocked that she makes her presence on the pro-circuit with her doubles partner Ella Paglalunan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The duo, were, however denied a spot in the girl\u2019s doubles final. Despite fighting hard, they were beaten 2-6, 3-6 by Vietnam\u2019s Nguyen Linh Nhi-To Binh Nhieh in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The setback is unlikely to disrupt the duo\u2019s determination to do better the next time and stamp their mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maristella hails from the Bicol Province and Ella from the city of General Trias, Cavite. It takes between 9-12 hours by road for them to reach other back in the Philippines. They only get together for tournaments and train separately under the guidance of their respective fathers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maristella trains under the watchful eyes of her father Delfine while Ella with her father Rocky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe may not train together but we still keep in touch and hope to continue with the partnership,\u201d said Maristella.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pair won the doubles silver in week one and two at the same tournament last year in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maristella made her mark at the junior competition back at home two years ago, winning both the U12 and U14 titles at the National Juniors Tennis Championships in Pasig City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She stunned an older top seed Ave Maria Policarpio 6-0, 6-2 in the Under-14 final and ironically defeating her doubles partner Ella 6-0, 6-2 in the Under-12 final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe hope to help the Philippines do well at the World Juniors in Malaysia,\u201d added the promising starlet, who was been dominating the Filipino junior tennis scene in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ITF World Junior Team Competition for boys and girls Asia-Oceania qualifying stage will take place in Sarawak in late April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The duo were also part of the Filipino U-12 team that finished 8th out of 12 countries in at the ATF Asia Finals in Kazakhstan in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n