THE MOMENT of truth begins today for Bright Academy’s Zethley Mae Alferez, Kristin Renee Salimbangon, Arthur Craig Pantino and Cesar Kristofer Salimbangon as they take on separate foes in their respective age categories in the 2014 Philippine Lawn Tennis Association’s (Philta) 25th Andrada Cup, which rolled off yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.
The four Cebuanos will not only be gunning for the championship titles but also for the Philta points that this tournament offers.
The Division I Junior Tennis Championship that offers 200 points for the champion, 150 for the runners-up, 100 points for the semifinalists and 70 for the quarterfinalists.
Alferez, no. 8 in Philta’s Girls 16-Under national rankings, and Salimbangon will both see action in the Girls’ 16 and 14 under age group divisions, Cesar Kristofer in the 12-Under Boys and 10-Under Unisex, and Pantino in the Boys’ 14-Under category, where he’s the top-seeded player.
Meanwhile, Guia Arzaga forged a duel against 18-Girls topseed Khim Iglupas today after Arzaga opened her campaign yesterday with a powerful 6-0, 6-0, victory over Nitchelle Alvia in the premier Girl’s division.
Also winning matches in the age category are Alexis Bangayan, who defeated Aimea Rosales, 6-4, 6-4; Percian Rivera, who downed Torrance Arejola, 6-1, 6-0; and Virgie Perez, who ousted Johanna Therese Capinpin, 6-0, 6-1.
In the Boys 18-Under, the winners on opening day were Jeremiah Tomacruz, who bested Ambrose Besas, 6-1, 6-3; Andre Rodriguez, who topped Jeremiah Macias, 6-1, 6-3; Albather Rosales, who edged out Aidyll Ignacio, 6-4, 6-3; Chris Justine Prulla, who bested Paulo So, 6-3, 6-3; and Angelo Bobis, who defeated Li Yang Thean via walkover.
The other winners in the 18 Boys are John Angelo Cerezo, who stepped on John Cedric Sancianco, 6-2, 6-1; and Cedric Ouisel, who won via walkover versus Jeremiah Emmanuel Fuellas. /Correspondent Jade S. Violeta