CEBU, Philippines - Dharyl Alcordo and three others bested separate foes to barge into the round of 32 in the most populated boys 16 division of the 19th JRG Gullas Tennis Cup yesterday at CitiGreen Tennis Resort in Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City. JRG stands for Jose 'Dodong' Rivera Gullas, the man behind the most sought-after tennis tournament in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Alcordo found Rey Dante Toledo a tough costumer to handle in the first set, where he had to toil hard before pulling off a 7-6 squeaker. Toledo, however, suddenly lost steam in the second set, enabling Alcordo to a cruise through an easy 6-1 win.
Charlie Cabarubias also advanced together with Mark Pradel, and Francis Ricana. Cabarubias crushed Lorenz Celis, 6-4, 6-1, Pradel easily dismantled Dave Villarba, 6-2, 6-0, while Ricana silenced Kurt Canete, 6-0, 6-0.
Dale Estonilo also progressed into the last 32 without breaking a sweat as Greek Apduhan did not show up in their scheduled match.
Over at Alta Vista Golf and Country Club, Joshua Torres and Josh Vincent Ibarbia were the first two players to enter the round of 16 in the boys 12 category.
Torres triumphed over Kyle Remedio, 6-0, 6-1, while Ibarbia gamely bounced back from an opening set blunder, then survived some scary moments before fending off Louis Segarra, 5-7, 6-4, 10-6 in a three-set thriller.
In the distaff side, sisters Phel and Pherl Coderos had contrasting fates. Pherl posted a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Gorgia Cobcoban, while Phel fell prey to Catherine Medrano, 6-1, 6-2.
Tiffany Nocos also hurdled her first assignment opposite Ysabella Gian, 6-0, 6-0, while Thalia Suson dumped Noelia Ramos, 7-6, 6-0.
Shedel Gica tamed Yuki Kabayashi,6-4, 6-0, while Lyrah Repollo subdued Christine Lemorin,6-0, 6-4.
Febbie Abayan also showed a promising start when she clobbered Angela Laborte, 6-0,6-2.
It was such a good decision by the organizers to hold this year’s action indoors especially with the unpredictable weather condition.
Before the competition will become more intense, participants of the four-day tilt were treated to a fun-filled welcome party last night, with no less than JRG himself gracing the affair.
The JRG Gullas Tennis Cup, the third longest-existing junior tennis competition in the country, is a Group 2 Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA)-sanctioned event. (FREEMAN)