Olivarez Open age group tennis fires off

MANILA, Philippines - Top seeds Eric Jed Olivarez and Roxanne Resma will have their hands full right in the opener of the third Olivarez Cup Age Group 2013 as they take on a pair of tough rivals in the 16-and-under category at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque today.

Olivarez battles Mariano Besas at 11 a.m., headlining four interesting matches in the day in the boys side, with second seed Stefan Suarez colliding with Abdullah Madcasim, No. 3 Marcen Gonzales squaring off with Li-Yang Thean and fourth seed Dave Mosqueda mixing it up with Joseph Cano.

Resma, on the other hand, tests Chloe Mae Saraza’s mettle starting at 2 p.m. in the featured match in the girls’ division.

Second seed Khim Iglupas clashes with Jade Capadocia at 4 p.m. and No. 4 Ma. Dominique Ong going up against Bianca Cruz at 3 p.m.

At stake in the two-week event, presented by Palawan Pawnshop through COO Bobby Castro, and sponsored by Dunlop Sports, Stronghold Insurance, Fed-Ex Air21 and Olivarez Sports Center, are ranking points and cash prizes worth P300,000.

First round matches are also on tap in the boys’ premier 18-and-under division with second seed Romnee Kyle Joseph taking on Joshua Masangkay, No. 3 Betto Orendain facing off with Raphael Enriquez and fourth seed Vernon Huivonhua battling Matthew Gironella.

Top seed Andrew Cano drew an opening round bye in the event which features the men’s and women’s singles and doubles, the men’s and ladies team competition, the intercollegiate categories as well as the age-group for boys’ and girls’ 18-under, 16-under, 14-under, 12-under, and 10-under unisex.

“We expect to produce new breed of players here,” said Philta president Rep. Edwin Olivarez. “We thank Palawan Pawnshop for their commitment to help the sport till 2021.”

Meanwhile, the chase for berths in the main draw in the premier Open division will start Monday. Tipped to lead the title chase are Davis Cupper Johnny Arcilla and titleholder Vicente Elbert Anasta along with Patrick John Tierro, Marc Reyes, Rolando Ruel Jr., Ronard Joven, Pablo Olivarez II and Jeson Patrombon.

Marian Jade Capadocia, Marinel Rudas and sisters Christine and Clarice Patrimonio banner the cast in the ladies side.