All set for 18th Gullas Tennis Cup

CEBU, Philippines - Over 200 netters from all over the country are expected to see action in the 18th Gullas Tennis Cup scheduled to be held from April 11 to 15 at the Cebu International Tennis Centre, Inc. (CITCI) courts in Laray, Consolacion.

“I can't imagine we have reached 18 years already. When we started in 1995, my request was to continue with this sport development. It was really our desire to develop the young Filipinos to be more active in sports,” said University of the Visayas Executive Vice President Jose “Dodong” Gullas, the man behind the event, during a press conference yesterday at the Foreign Lounge of UV-Main Campus.

Gullas, himself an ardent follower of this famous racquet-sport, strongly feels that tennis is one sport that the Filipino athletes can excel on the international stage next to boxing.

The event's formal launching was also graced by UV Vice President for External Affairs Atty. Joseph "Dodong" Baduel, Swedish coach Tommy Frederiksen, John Z. Pages, one of the forerunners of the Gullas Cup, and tournament director Fritz Tabura.

This year's edition of the longest running tennis event in the Vis-Min region marks the return of the 21-under category.

"It will cater to a lot of college and varsity players. It's very exciting and highly competitive category. It gives players who have already graduated from the regular age-group a chance to once again showcase their skills," said Pages.

The rest of the age brackets are unisex 10-under, boys and girls 12, 14, 16, and 18-under. There will also be a doubles competition for the 10, 14, 18 and 21-under classes.

Tabura, for his part, expressed confidence that they can surpass last year's record of 196 entries.

"We're expecting over 200 participants this time because aside from the inclusion of the 21-under category, more athletes are into tennis now especially here in Cebu," said Tabura.

Through the years, the Gullas Cup have minted top caliber athletes who made waves here and abroad.

From UV alone, it has produced two Junior Phl Davis Cuppers in Fritzgerald Tabura and Francis Largo.

Being a Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) Group 2 sanctioned event, the Gullas Cup also gave players from Visayas and Mindanao an opportunity to earn points needed to upgrade their individual rankings.

More than the competition, the Gullas Cup also provides an avenue for the participants to foster goodwill and camaraderie among each other.

"That is the reason why we have set a fellowship night of fun and games on April 12. We want to tell the participants that tennis is not just about pressure and competition, but also an opportunity for them to build friendship to each other. This will further enhance their love for the sport," said Pages, who is also the outgoing president of the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC).

Registration fee is pegged at P300 inclusive of a souvenir t-shirt, welcome dinner and all other fees relative to the five-day tilt.

Aside from trophies and gift certificates, more prizes will be given away to the top performers in each category.

The Gullas Cup serves as the main event of a series of tennis joust that will take place next month starting off with the Tru-Flex National Age-Group Championships on April 1-6 at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City followed by the Milo Junior Tennis Circuit on April 8-10 at the Cebu Country Club. (FREEMAN)