18th Gullas Tennis Cup on today

MANILA, Philippines - The 18th edition of the Gullas Tennis Cup, the longest existing age-group tennis tournament in Cebu, will blast off today at the Cebu International Tennis Centre, Inc. (CITCI) courts in Laray, Consolacion.

Over 200 aspiring netters from all over the country will take part in the five-day tilt that features once again the 21-under category.

The rest of the age brackets are unisex 10-under, boys and girls 12, 14, 16, and 18-under. There will also be a doubles competition for the 10, 14, 18 and 21-under classes.

For those who have joined the 14th Tru-Flex National Age-Group Tennis Championships and in the Milo Juniors Visayas championships, the Gullas Cup is a chance for them to further sharpen their skills.

The Gullas family led by Jose ”Dodong” R. Gullas have continued their support to the event as their own way of helping Philippine tennis develop new set of talents that will be the country’s representatives to international competitions in the future.

For nearly two decades now, the Gullas Cup has minted top caliber athletes who made waves here and abroad.From UV alone, it has produced two Junior Phl Davis Cuppers in Fritzgerald Tabura and Francis Largo.

Being a Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) Group 2 sanctioned event, the Gullas Cup also gave players from Visayas and Mindanao an opportunity to earn points needed to upgrade their individual rankings.

More than the competition, the Gullas Cup also provides an avenue for the participants to foster goodwill and camaraderie among each other.

"That is the reason why we have set a fellowship night of fun and games on April 12. We want to tell the participants that tennis is not just about pressure and competition, but also an opportunity for them to build friendship to each other. This will further enhance their love for the sport," said John Pages, one of the event organizers.       

Registration fee is pegged at P300 inclusive of a souvenir t-shirt, welcome dinner and all other fees relative to the five-day tilt.

Aside from trophies and gift certificates, more prizes will be given away to the top performers in each category. (FREEMAN)