Orteza sisters forge title showdown in Andrada Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Isabella and Katrina Orteza came away with contrasting victories to set up an all-sister finals in the girls 16-under singles even as fancied Michael Francis Eala downed Alessi Villanueva, 6-0, 6-0, to cruise to the 10-unisex championship in the 23rd Andrada Cup Group I tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

The fourth seeded Isabella needed an extra set to topple top seed Roxanne Resma, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, while the second seeded Katrina lived up to her billing as she swept Maria Angela Sunga, 6-1, 6-4, in the lower half of the draw.

Eala, who beat Danielle Ilarde, 6-2, 6-0, in the quarters and dropped just two games on his way to the finals, overpowered Villanueva to set up a title duel with Aljon Talatayod, who upended second seed Diego Dayrit in the previous round and then turned back Juan Enrique Jugo, 6-2, 6-3, in the semis.

In girls 12-under, No. 1 Monica Therese Cruz crushed Chloe Mae Saraza, 6-3, 6-3, while second seed Rafaella Villanueva routed Blanche Lagrisola, 6-2, 6-0, to set up the title showdown in the tournament backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Meanwhile, Eric Olivarez Jr., Christian San Andres and Marcen Angelo Gonzales continued to dish out big games as they booted out higher rated rivals to secure berths in the semis of the boys’ 18-and-under singles.

Olivarez, nephew of Phl tennis chief Edwin Olivarez, eliminated No. 4 Romnee Kyle Joseph, 6-3, 6-4; San Andres shocked No. 3 Andrew Joshua Cano, 6-4, 6-4; and Gonzales pulled the rug from under No. 2 Betto Orendain, 7-6 (6), 6-4.

The top seeded Calvin Canlas emerged the lone survivor among the fancied bets in the premier division as he downed Jeremiah Latorre, 6-1, 6-2, for a semis date with Olivarez. Latorre earlier humbled No. 6 Vernon Huibonhoa, 6-2, 7-5.

San Andres and Gonzales dispute the other finals berth in the week-long tournament held in honor of Philippine sports commissioner Buddy Andrada.

In other results, No. 4 Joseph edged No. 5 Daniel Villasenor, 6-3, 7-6 (4) to advance to the semis of the 16-and-under category against the winner between No. 2 Marcen Angelo Gonzales and No. 7 Joachim Samson.