Opulencia, Lopez rule Tru-Flex netfest

MANILA, Philippines - Juan Alfonso Opulencia and Alexandra Louise Lopez toppled their respective rivals to capture the boys and girls 18-under crowns in the Tru-Flex/Wilson national age-group tennis championships at Ayala Alabang recently.

Opulencia, 14, downed fourth seed Enrique Ferrer, 6-1, 6-4, while Lopez turned back Patricia Orteza, 6-2, 7-5, to rule the event which produced the likes of Davis Cupper Francis Casey Alcantara and top-ranked junior netter Jeson Patrombon.

Other winners in the age-group tourney supported by Phiten Wellness Products were John Maverick Victoria in the boys 16-under, Betto Orendain (14-U), Eric Olivarez Jr.(12-U) and Arthur Craig Pantino (10-U unisex).

Shanine Olivarez topped the 16-under class while Katrina Orteza reigned in 14-U class and Erica Manduriao topped the 12-U division.

The winners received ranking points from the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association which uses the tournament as its farm league for future tennis stars. It was held at the two indoor and two outdoor courts of the Tru-Flex tennis court surfacing center along San Juanico St.

Opulencia, a high schooler from Ateneo, strung up victories over seeded rivals en route to the championship, including a second round upset of top seed John Marie Altiche, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

A member of the youthful RP team to the Asia/Oceania Regional Final Qualifying Events in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia last year, Opulencia walked over fourth seed Jammie Dela Paz to reach the finals.

The second-seeded Victoria took the 16-under title over Arfil Lance Canizares, 6-4, 6-3. Canizares pulled off an upset of top seed Betto Orendain, 6-2, 2-6, 2-0, (Ret.). Victoria disposed of third-seed Kyle Parpan, 6-3, 6-0 in the semis.

Orendain bounced back from that loss to Canizares by beating Parpan, 6-1, 6-4, to capture the 14-under title while Eric Olivarez Jr., the top seed, ripped Julian Dayrit, 6-2, 6-2, for the 12-under plum. Pantino, the second seed, blanked Chloe Mae Sazara, 6-0, 6-0, for the 10-under unisex honor.

Shanine Olivarez, who made the semis of the girls 18-under, pulled it through in the 16-under by beating second seed Samantha Coyiuto, 6-3, 6-4. In 14-under, Katrina Orteza prevailed over sister Isabela, 6-1, 6-3. Manduriao stunned top seed Maia Balce, 6-2, 6-3, to take the 12-U title.