19th JRG Gullas Cup gets underway today

CEBU, Philippines -  A record field of more than 200 entries from all over the country will vie for top honors in the 19th JRG Gullas Tennis Cup, which will kick off today in two separate venues — Alta Vista Golf and Country Club in Pardo and Citigreen Tennis Resort in Mambaling, Cebu City.

JRG stands for Jose Rivera "Dodong" R. Gullas, the man behind the most sought-after tennis event in the Visayas and Mindanao.

This year’s edition of the third longest-existing junior tennis tournament in the country has attracted the most number of participants from outside of Cebu.

Out-of-towners invading the Queen City of the South include two from Luzon in Manila’s Nikki Ong and Bicol’s Kurt Angelo Molina.

The competitors from the Visayas are Baybay’s Joshua Ramon Torres and Ellaine Rose Bahonsoa, Siquijor’s Heart Sotto and Ellaine Rose Bahonsoa, Bais’ Jewel Gorospe, Bacolod’s JR Arguelles, and Bohol’s Ashley Zamora and Kaye Alota.

Representing Mindanao are Rupert Ohrelle and Repert Regie Tortal of Surigao, Tubod, Lanao’s Brent Seigmond Cortes, Ozamiz’ Ashton Benne Villanueva, Lorraine Grace Bayola and Lorraine Grace Bayola and Koronadal’s Janus Ringia.

Cebu’s top bets include the reigning double champion Jana Pages (girls 16 and 18-under), Arthur Craig Pantino, Cesar Kristoffer Salimbangon, Gener Francis Lambayan,Norman Enriquez, Zethley Mae Alferez, Shyne Villareal and Kristine Renee Salimbangon among others.

The boys 16-under has the most number of entries with 36, while the boys 14 has 34. Other classes in the boys division have 23 in the boys 12 and 18 in the 18-under.

The girls side, on the other hand, has 21 entries in the girls 12,14 in the 12-under, 13 in the 16-under and eight in the 18-under.

The unisex 10-under has 19 registrants.

Aside from the singles, there will also be a doubles event for the 10, 14 and 18-under division.  

Nino Siso, one of the Gullas Cup products who is now working as Citigreen’s assistant marketing officer, said the participants are so lucky this time as they get a chance to play in a nicer venue.

“They are really luckier as the organizers of the Gullas Cup are looking for ways to make the event better than ever. And as far as our side at Citigreen is concerned, we assure that the players will be taken care of,” said Siso. (FREEMAN)