Otico, Rivera dominate Andrada Cup netfest

MANILA, Philippines - John Bryan Otico completed a twin title romp while Shaira Hope Rivera took the crown in the girls’ premier class at the close of the 26th Andrada Cup tennis championships at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

Otico, a 15-year-old ward of the Philippine Tennis Academy, bested Chris Justin Prulla, 6-4, 6-2 to cop the 18-U plum then defeated Cenon Gonzales Jr., 6-2, 7-6 (7-2), to pocket the 16-U diadem in the event held in honor of former Philippine Tennis Association president Salvador “Buddy” Andrada, now a Philippine sports commissioner and Asian Tennis Federation honorary lifetime president.

The twin victories served as fitting send-off for Otico, the Bukidnon native who is embarking on an ITF junior meet in Hong Kong next week.

His stablemate Rivera, 15, also scored a breakthrough victory after posting a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) upset over third seed Frances Santiago for the top plum in girls 18-under. On her way to the final, she ousted top seed Chryslyn Colleen Sioson, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2).

“We are very proud of Bryan and Shaira, they really showed a lot of improvement and now we are confident they are ripe for bigger ITF events,” said PTA head coach Jun Toledo.

Monica Therese Cruz, 14, topped the girls 16-under with a 1-6, 7-5 (retired) win over Santiago. The 14-year-old Cruz is also set to see action in the Hong Kong ITF set to start on Jan. 19.

Second seed Caryn Bless Guarde outlasted third seed Miles Vitaliano, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, to capture the girls 14-under in the event sponsored by the PSC, Altamar Shipping, Tru-Flex and Thaddeus Sporting Goods. Guarde also topped the doubles in her division in tandem with Maxine Martin.

Top seed Miguel Luis Vicencio trounced John Michael Belo, 6-1, 6-1, to win the boys 12-under crown. But Belo redeemed himself in the unisex 10-under final after he beat top seed Marc Andrei Jarata, 6-3, 0-6, 6-4.

Second seed Nio Tria slammed Jed Justin Labasano, 6-2, 6-4, to annex the boys 14-under championship. Tria also won the boys 14-under doubles crown teaming up with Mark Directo.