Olivarez-Philta Open tennis under way

MANILA, Philippines - The two-week Olivarez-Philta Open Tennis Championships presented by Palawan Pawnshop Express Pera Padala unwraps today with action in the juniors’ side featuring the country’s leading players and rising stars at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.

Top seed Jerome Olivarez slugs it out with Santino Vistan while No. 3 Arthur Pantino squaring off with Ambrose Besas in two of the top matches in the boys’ 14-and-under class. Other pairings pit No. 6 Jacob Martin against Miguel Cerrado, Chris Prulla versus Rodel Velarde, Mar Raphael Teng against Tim Gumban and Marcus del Rosario versus Ai Burahan.

Second seed Cenon Gonzales Jr., meanwhile, meets Stephan Lhuillier on Sunday when he opens his bid in the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop Express Pera Padala, through Philta regional vice-president and Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

Martin, winner of a number of tournaments last summer, likewise kicks off his title drive in the 12-and-under side where he is the top seed as he tangles with John Guanzon while the No. 2 Teng takes on Matthew Garcia.

The girls’ in the 16-and-under category also gets to see action in the event which stakes ranking points with top seed Roxanne Resma battling Janna Hernandez, No. 2 Rachelle de Guzman colliding with Andie Villarosa, No. 6 Jzash Canja clashing with Frances Santiago and No. 8 Khim Iglupas facing off with Monica Cruz.

Matches start at 10 a.m., according to tournament in-charge Bobby Mangunay. For details, contact 0195-4046464 or email b[email protected] or 523-6415 (Philta) or 0928-5526433 or 02-8202237 (Olivarez Sports Center).

The centerpiece men’s and ladies divisions will start Aug. 14 with the qualifiers set Aug. 13-16 to accommodate the big number of entries joining the second staging of the event that features Jeson Patrombon, Francis Casey Alcantara, Marc Reyes and Pablo Olivarez, four of the country’s leading junior players, and Johnny Arcilla in the men’s side.

Clarice Patrimonio, Roxanne Resma, Jasmine Tan Ho and Maika Tanpoco banner the ladies cast in the event, sanctioned by Philippine Tennis Association, which also includes the inter-college and inter-club championships.

Titles to be disputed are the premier men’s and ladies singles and doubles (Grade-A), the boys and girls singles and doubles (Group-I), the interclub (combined men’s and ladies) team play and the inter-collegiate (men’s and ladies) team championship.