Eala crushes Martin for 12-U crown

MANILA, Philippines - Michael Eala got back at top seed Jake Martin and pulled off a 6-2, 6-0 romp to capture the boys’ 12-and-under crown and complete a golden double in the fifth First Gen Juntaphil Metro Age Group Tennis Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center last weekend.

Eala, 9, who took the 10-unisex diadem last Friday, used a vast repertoire of shots to startle Martin in the opener then stamped his class in the second set to fashion out the straight-set victory in the Group I tournament presented by First Gen Corporation and sponsored by Smart Communications.

It was a big win for Eala, son of former SEA Games swim medalist Rizza Maniego Eala, who has had a series of title setbacks to fellow Xavier mainstay Martin.