Chase on for Olivarez Cup jr crowns

MANILA, Philippines - Hostilities in three boys’ divisions and two classes in the girls’ side kick off the fourth Olivarez Cup presented by Palawan Pawnshop today with the country’s top junior netters seeing action at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.

Second seed Marcen Gonzales gets busy early as he takes on Jet Asilo, No. 3 Jose Cano battles Claudio Canlas, fifth seed Stefan Suarez faces off with Vince Gumaban and No. 6 Marc Agner squares off with Edmar Balanay in the centerpiece boys’ 18-and-under category.

Top seed Andrew Cano takes an opening round bye but will meet the winner in the Karl Tenorio-Allayson Gabaldon duel in Saturday’s second round of the week-long event held in honor of Philta president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez and backed by Dunlop Sports as official ball and Olivarez Sports Center.

Fourth seed Godfrey Seno and No. 7 Vincent Alanis also open their respective bids in the 16-and-under side with the former colliding with Brendan Gazmen and the latter testing the mettle of Peter Pangilinan.

Sixth ranked Jed Labasano tangles with Genesis Abadia while No. 7 Juan Jugo clashes with Laurenz Quitara in two of the featured matches in the 12-and-under division of the event offering a total prize fund of P300,000.

“By gathering the top and upcoming junior netters in this top-level tournament, we hope to produce players who could be further trained and develop to become members of the national team,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

No. 4 Rafaella Villanueva also begins her quest against Johanna Capinpin while Andie Villarosa and Monica Cruz mix it up in the other match in the girls’ 16-and-under category even as third seed Blanche Lagrisola battles Cristy Sanosa and Mia So clashes with Denise Bernardo in the girls’ 12-and-under class.

“With so many young, promising players, we feel the need to put up more Open tournaments and we are one with Palawan Pawnshop to help the sport and promote Philippine tennis nationwide,” said Olivarez.

Also on tap is the 10-unisex division with No. 8 JT Bernardo facing off with Harold Sucayre, Madox Pila vs Von Saraza, Robin Weigold against Macie Carlos, Andre Garcia vs Samuel Nuguit, Jeremiah Macias IV against Elijah Guillermo, Edgardo Angara vs Fahad Malic, Bettina Catoto against Jose Dizon, Joaquin de Leon vs Joni Maturino and Marvin Espina against Reven Nuguit.