Orteza, Olivarez cop Palawan net crowns

MANILA, Philippines - Top seeds Katrina Orteza and Eric Jed Olivarez whisked off their rivals in similar fashion to rule their respective divisions while AJ Cano needed an extra set to reign supreme in the Olivarez Cup presented by Palawan Pawnshop at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat recently.

Orteza held off a rallying Maia Balce in the second set and completed a 6-1, 6-4 victory to bag the girls’ 18-and-under diadem while Olivarez tamed Hong Kong-based Alester Magalit, 6-3, 6-3, to annex the boys’ 16-and-under crown in the weeklong event held in honor of Philta president and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

Cano, who survived a thrilling semifinal duel with Romnee Joseph, 7-5, 7-6(6), fought back from a set down to frustrate Stefan Suarez, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, to clinch the boys’ 18-and-under title in the tournament backed by Dunlop Sports as official ball and Olivarez Sports Center.

Earlier, Balce, who blanked Rafaella Villanueva, 6-0, 6-0, in the semis, ended Monica Cruz’s giant-killing spree, scoring a 6-2, 6-1 romp to capture the girls’ 16-U crown. Cruz upended second seed Andrea Amistad, 6-1, 6-2, in the semis of the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop through COO Bobby Castro.

The No. 3 Cruz also stunned the top seeded Villanueva, 6-3, 6-1, to snatch the girls’ 14-U plum while third seed Cenon Gonzales Jr. took the boys’ crown with a 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-1 victory over No. 4 Justin Suarez.

No. 1 Marcus del Rosario foiled second seed Janus Ringia in a thrilling faceoff for the boys’ 12-and-under crown, hacking out a 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 win while top seed Mikaela Vicencio also rallied from a set down to turn back Carlyn Guarde, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, and pocket the girls’ 12-U title.

Fancied Diego Dayrit likewise lived up to his billing, beating Jan Trillanes, 6-2, 6-2, to clinch the 10-unisex title in the event which featured the country’s leading junior players and rising stars and staked national raking points.

Meanwhile, 110 players are fighting it out for eight wildcard berths in the fourth Olivarez Cup Open slated Aug. 23-Sept. 1.