Cruz, Barquin bag First Gen net plums

MANILA, Philippines - Unseeded Monica Therese Cruz subdued Nikki Ong, 6-4, 6-1, while unranked Rodolfo Barquin hacked out a 5-7, 2-0 (ret.) win over third seed Marcen Gonzales to capture the 18-and-under crowns in the 2014 First Gen-Juntaphil Metro Age Group Tennis Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center over the weekend.

Cruz, who clobbered Hope Rivera, 6-1, 6-1, in the semis, broke Ong once in the opener then imposed her strength in the next to complete a straight set win in the premier class while Barquin, who upended No. 6 Justine Prulla, 6-4, 6-2, in the semis, proved lucky enough to snatch the boys’ diadem in the centerpiece event of the Group I tournament sponsored by First Gen Corp. and organized by Juntaphil.

As third seed, Cruz mastered Ong, 6-1, 6-1, in the 16-and-U finals to complete a twinkill while No. 2 John Bryan de Casa edged unseeded Arthur Pantino, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, to cop the boys’ 16-and-U plum in the event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) and backed by Wilson as the official ball.

Top seed Miguel Vicencio ended unranked Samuel Nuguit’s amazing run in the 10-unisex section that included victories over No. 2 Macie Carlos and No. 4 Edgardo Angara, scoring a 4-1, 4-1 romp, while No. 2 Red Directo repulsed top seed Nio Tria in a thrilling finale, 6-4, 7-5, to pocket the boys’ 12-and-U title.