Del Rosario, Manduriao shine in President’s Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Marcus del Rosario enhanced his promising tennis career with a three-title romp in the Palawan Pawnshop’s President’s Cup age group tournament while Erika Manduriao stamped her class in girls’ play at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque over the weekend.

The third-seeded Del Rosario upended top seed Jacob Martin, 6-4, 6-2, in the semis then overwhelmed Manuel Balce III, 6-1, 6-3, to cop the boys’ 14-and-under crown. As top seed in the 12-and-under, Del Rosario held off Maverick Legaspi, 6-2, 6-4, to pocket the crown.

He also won the boys’ 14-and-U doubles plum in tandem with brother Miguel to emerge the winningest player in the Group 2 tournament presented by Palawan Pawnshop and sponsored by Philippine Tennis Association president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

No. 2 Manduriao, meanwhile, outplayed Karamina Atangan, 6-2, 6-1, to annex the girls’ premier 18-and-U diadem then as the No. 1 seed brought down Princess Catindig, 6-4, 6-1, in the 16-and-U finals of the event backed by Technosports, exclusive distributor of Babolat equipment.

“With Palawan Pawnshop, through COO Bobby Castro, and Technosports’ continuing support through president Guillermo Nocom, we’ll be putting up a series of tournaments in other regions to further help develop the sport and discover new talents,” said Olivarez.

Second seed Andrew Cano fought back from a set down to repulse Marcen Gonzales, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, to cop the boys’ 18-and-U crown while No. 2 Eric Jed Olivarez blasted Emmanuel Fuellas, 6-2, 6-0, to bag the 16-and-U title.

Olivarez also teamed up with Jerome Romualdez to clinch the boys’ 18-and-U doubles crown while Alfred Doloroso and Juan Carlo Lapore took the 10-unisex doubles title.

Diego Dayrit outlasted Daniel Estanislao III, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, to capture the 10-unisex plum, Mikaela Vicencio toppled Blanche Lagrisola, 6-2, 6-1, to win the girls’ 12-and-U title and No. 2 Chloe Saraza stunned top seed Rafaella Villanueva, 6-4, 7-5, to pocket the 14-and-U crown.

Meanwhile, the next Palawan Pawnshop leg will be held July 19-22 in Baybay, Leyte with free listup plus giveaways from Babolat to all participants, according to Philta referee and tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay. For details, call 09154046464.