Dream come true for JRG Gullas Tennis Cup now a Group 1 event under Unified Tennis Philippines

CEBU, Philippines — After a long wait – 23 years to be exact, the JRG Gullas Tennis Cup has finally been elevated into a Group 1 event under the Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP), a non-stock, non-profit organization committed to support Phl tennis with the goal of preparing athletes to eventually compete on the global front.

Over the years, the nagging question as to when the Gullas Cup will become a Group 1 event being the longest running and biggest junior tennis tournament outside of Metro Manila has always been left unanswered.

Not until yesterday.

The event’s founder himself, Cebu Sports Hall of Famer Jose ‘Dodong’ R. Gullas broke the big news during a press conference in his office at the University of the Visayas (UV) where he is the Excutive Vice President.

“I am the happiest man after being informed by Mr. John Pages that our tournament, after 23 years, is now a Group 1 event,” Gullas said.

Gullas is referring to sportsman John Owen Z. Pages, who helped him establish the developmental competition for aspiring netters across the country in 1995 together with his son John Vicente ‘Johnvic’ Gullas.

“Some may ask, why tennis? That is because it’s one sport that doesn’t require height for one to excel even on the international stage,” said Gullas.

Johnvic Gullas, a tennis buff who has been present since the very first serve of the Gullas Cup, is as elated as his father on the upgraded status of their ‘baby’ in the sporting field.

“For how many years, that’s what we’ve really been aiming for. I’m glad that we are able to achieve it at last,” said Johnvic Gullas.

Pages said the Gullas Cup is one of the only five Group 1 tennis events sanctioned by UTP in the Vis-Min region. The other four are halved by Cebuana Lhuillier and Palawan Pawnshop.

UTP prides itself of being an all-inclusive organization, founded and supported by the country’s biggest tennis patrons and aficionados. It is formally recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) as a sport association, with a mission of serving, developing and promoting tennis in the country.

Among UTP's founding leaders are businessman-sportsman Jean Henri Lhuillier, Senators Sonny Angara and Migs Zubiri, Bobby Castro, Randy Villanueva, Gerardo Maronilla, Jackie Tomacruz, and Julito Villanueva.

As a Group 1 event, Pages said the winning players will get the highest number of points they needed for their individual rankings.

With that, more racquet-wielders from Manila are expected to come over in the Queen City of the South to challenge the best netters in the Vis-Min region in the 23rd JRG Gullas Cup set on June 1-5 at the CitiGreen Tennis Resort in Barangay Punta Princesa and at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club in Barangay Pardo.

“So we are expecting a maximum number of nationwide participation who will come here," said Pages, adding that they’re expecting to hit close to 300 entries in the five-day tiff.

Just like in the previous editions, a total of nine  categories will be contested: mixed 10-under, and boys and girls 12, 14, 16 and 18-under. There will also be doubles competition for the 10, 14 and 18-under age groups.

"Through the years, we are very proud seeing many champions and many of them have pass through the Gullas Cup," said Pages.

“The names Jacob Lagman, Fitzgerald Tabura, Sally Mae Siso, Oswaldo Dumoran, and even Francis Casey “Niño” Alcantara – the 2009 Australian Open junior doubles champion – have, in their storied careers, all been called “Gullas Cup champions.” — with Gloreitta T. Lariosa (FREEMAN)