Andrada Cup: Prulla leads early winners

MANILA, Philippines - Chris Justine Prulla overpowered Paulo So, 6-3, 6-3, yesterday to lead the first-round winners of the 25th Andrada Cup age-group tennis championships at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

Prulla, the 5-foot-11 Luzon leg champion of the Batang Pinoy, fought off So power against power in the premier 18-under action under overcast skies and fast surface to take the win in just over an hour.

The 15-year-old Prulla will take on Jose Nicolas Cano who took a bye to the second round in the event sponsored by Philippine Sports Commission, Dunlop Balls, Olivarez Sports Center, Cebuana Lhuillier, Altamar Shipping, Tru-Flex and Phinma Group of Companies.

“It’s a tough match,” said Prulla who caught the fancy of tennis officials because of his height and built. “But I managed to beat him by my smarts. I can play good either from baseline or serve and volley.”

Joining him in the second round of the elite division were Andre Rodriguez, who downed Jeremiah Macias, 6-1, 6-3; and Albather Rosales, who ousted Aidyll Ignacio, 6-4, 6-2.

In 10-under unisex, Von Saraza pulled off a 6-0, 6-1 upset over eighth seed Julia Ignacio to crash into the quarterfinals. He will battle Rainer Angelo Selmar, who eased out Weigold Robin, 6-4, 6-3.

Also getting through the quarters in the tourney held in honor of former Philippine Tennis Association president and now PSC commissioner Salvador “Buddy” Andrada were top seed Miguel Luis Vicencio, Rafael Liangco, and Kryshana Brazal.

Vicencio routed Edgardo Angara, 6-0, 6-0; Liangco beat Alyssa Mae Rosales, 6-1, 6-2; and Brazal eliminated Riley Matieu Banaag, 6-2, 6-3.