Julia Christine Botin

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John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780714048175IMG_0082.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Fil-Am tennis player Chris Papa. Kennedy Caacbay, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — Fil-American tennis player Chris Papa is hoping to don the national tri-colors.Papa, who recently clinched the 2026 Palawan Open men’s singles crown, said they have paperwork proving that he has Filipino heritage from his mother.“I would love to possibly come here and represent,” Papa said, facing reporters at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center after winning the Palawan Open title.“We have the paperwork proving my mom&#x27;s Filipino, but I need to get the passport so that I can represent the Philippines,” he added.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/6/1/tennis-fil-am-christopher-papa-beats-lim-for-palawan-open-title-1323">READ: Tennis: Fil-Am Christopher Papa beats Lim for Palawan Open title </a></div>“I have to get some paperwork done so that I can be eligible, but we&#x27;re working on that right now and hopefully that&#x27;s something that we can get done quickly,” added Papa, whose mom, named Glenda Yap, hails from Bogo, Cebu.Papa, who suited up in the United States’ NCAA Division 1 with Pepperdine University, hopes to play more tennis matches in the country and make an impact in the local sports scene.“I&#x27;m planning on coming back more and playing more here,” he said.“When I was younger, I was just playing local tournaments in the US and then I was in college until last year. I graduated last year from Pepperdine,” he added.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/6/1/tennis-madis-overcomes-capadocia-to-rule-palawan-open-1209">READ: Tennis: Madis overcomes Capadocia to rule Palawan Open </a></div>As the Palawan Open concluded, Palawan Group of Companies Chief Marketing Officer Bernard Kaibigan highlighted their dedication to giving local tennis players an avenue for “topnotch” rivalry, exposing them to international competiton.“Ang kagandahan po ng Palawan Open, we gave our local tennis players a topnotch competition kasi nakapag-invite ng mga international players as well para ma-gauge &#x27;yung competitiveness ng local players,” Kaibigan said.&quot;&#x27;Yung aim talaga ng Palawan Open is of course, increase awareness of tennis to Filipinos. At the same time, encourage a lot of kids, a lot of athletes to train for tennis as well,&quot; he added.Papa defeated AJ Lim, 6-4, 6-4, in the finale to rule the men’s division, while Tenny Madis powered past veteran Marian Capadocia to claim the women&#x27;s crown, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).

Fil-American tennis player Chris Papa is hoping to don the national tri-colors.

Tennis: Palawan Open champ Fil-Am Chris Papa hopes to represent PH

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Tennis: Palawan Open champ Fil-Am Chris Papa hopes to represent PH

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 06, 2026 11:48 AM PHT

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Updated June 06, 2026 01:54 PM PHT

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tennis

Palawan Open

Chris Papa

Tenny Madis

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