Olivarez tows winners in First Gen netfest

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Eric Olivarez, Jr. overwhelmed Matthew Torres, 6-1, 6-1, to set up a second round clash with Jose Cruz in the boys’ 14-under class in the First Gen Juntaphil Metro Age Group Tennis Championships at the Olivarez Tennis Center in Sucat yesterday.

Olivarez unleashed a variety of shots to outclass Torres, who earlier downed Brysl Libao, 7-6(1), 6-3, to earn a shot at the top seeded bet.

Cruz, on the other hand, smothered Ian Gabasa, 6-3, 6-0, but will have his hands full against Olivarez when they face off tomorrow in the second round of the Group I tournament presented by First Gen Corp. and sponsored by Smart Communications.

Stefan Suarez and Tim Becker also advanced with walkover wins over Kabir Buyani and Adrian Dimaano in the tournament organized by the Junior Tennis Association of the Philippines (Juntaphil) and backed by Pet One, RCBC, Sole Footbeds and Pepsi.

Bernard San Juan downed Kurt Cristobal, 6-2, 6-3, while Michael Teng won by default over Dheo Talatayod to lead the first round winners in the boys’ 18-under division of the tournament which drew a total of 375 entries and 276 participants.

The victories set up San Juan against Jericho Tenorio while Teng mixes it up with top seed Kim Saraza at resumption of action in the centerpiece event tomorrow.

Also hurdling their first round assignments were Christian Tesorio, who won over Mike Destura, 6-3, 6-4, and Carlos Oblea, who subdued Jasper Tan, 6-2, 6-2, while Mark Concepcion scored a walkover win over Edison Portacio.

Meanwhile, top ranked Maia Balce and No. 2 Isabela Orteza head the cast in the girls’ 14-under with the former taking on Rocio Climent, who scored a walkover win over Bea Ebriega.

Orteza will meet the winner between Chryslin Sioson and Angela Gonzales in the lower half of the draw.