Olivarez, Orteza bag net crowns

MANILA, Philippines - Eric Jed Olivarez battled back from a set down then pulled through in a grueling third set duel, hacking out a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) victory over Argil Lance Canizares to capture the boys’ 18-and-under crown in the Palawan Pawnshop Regional age-group tennis tournament in Cainta, Rizal yesterday.

The top-seeded Olivarez, who never dropped a set until he reached the finals, recovered in time and broke Canizares once in the second set to force a decider where he outlasted his third-ranked rival to pull off the thrilling victory at the Brookside Hills Tennis Club.

No. 1 Katrina Orteza, meanwhile, scored a walkover win over Maia Balce to bag the girls’ 18-and-U title in the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and backed by Babolat.

Meanwhile, the next leg of the nationwide, year-long circuit will be held April 5-9 at the Ouans Worth Resort in Lucena City with registration free to the public as part of Palawan Pawnshop’s community service through the effort of COO Bobby Castro.

For details, contact Philta referee Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Second seed Andrea Amistad foiled Chloe Saraza, 6-3, 6-4, to annex the girls’ 16-and-U diadem, while Marcen Gonzales copped the boys’ plum with a 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-3 victory over Julian Dayrit. No. 2 Emmanuel Fuellas defeated Gabriel Tiamson, 6-4, 6-3, to clinch the boys’ 14-and-U title while Saraza pocketed the girls’ crown with a 6-3, 6-3 romp over Frances Santiago.

Top seed Mikaela Vicencio took the girls’ 12-and-U diadem with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Miles Vitalliano, while Marcus del Rosario pocketed the boys’ plum with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Alexander Bulilan and second seed Jan Harold Trillanes upended top seed Diego Dayrit, 6-4, 6-4, to capture the 10-unisex title.