Olivarez, Vinas hold off rivals; Manduriao gains

MANILA, Philippines - Eric Olivarez Jr. and Justin Vinas thwarted their respective rivals to fashion out a pair of straight-set victories while Erika Manduriao pulled off a cliffhanger over Ingriz Mariz Gonzales at the start of the second PSC/Philta age group tennis championship at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

Olivarez defeated Al Michael Madrio, 6-3, 6-1, to arrange a second round clash with fifth seed Kyle Joseph in the premier boys’ Under-18 event of the Group I tournament sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission through the initiative of sports commissioner Col. Buddy Andrada.

Vinas, on the other hand, thwarted Mark Concepcion, 6-3, 6-4, to set up a clash with No. 7 Joshua Cano, who drew a first round bye in the week-long event which offers ranking points, including 200 points to the champion.

Arc Dolorito scored a walkover win over Raphael Enriquez but will face third seed Kyle Parpan in today’s second round.

Manduriao, meanwhile, walked the tightrope before squeezing out a thrilling 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 victory over Gonzales in the girls’ Under-16 class. She faces third seed Roxanne Resma in the second round.

Nicole Paez overwhelmed Johanna Capinpin, 6-1, 6-1, for a second round match with top seed Jade Marian Capadocia while Jade Charito Capadocia won by default over Janne Hernandez and will play Maia Balce in the second round.

Other opening day winners were Marianne Ferry, Maxine Martin, Chloe Mae Saraza and Melanie Faye Dizon in the girls’ U-12 category. Ferry survived Carla Marie Arreza, 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-2, Martin repulsed Janet Videz, 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-3, while Saraza and Dizon advanced with walkover wins.

Meanwhile, action in the 18-under girls singles starts today with top seed Marian Jade Capadocia battling it out with Maia Balce and No. 2 Ma. Angela Sunga clashing with Jana Hernandez.

Other matches pit third seed Isabella Mendoza against Bea Ebriega and No. 4 Roxanne Resma against Nicole Paez.