Saraza, Nguyen lead First Gen net winners

MANILA, Philippines - Fancied Kim Ivor Saraza and Tamitha Nguyen dominated their respective rivals in the finals to top the centerpiece 18-under division while the lesser lights ruled the lower age classes of the First Gen Juntaphil Metro Age Group Tennis Championships at the Olivarez Tennis Center in Sucat yesterday.

The top seeded Saraza capped his impressive campaign in the premier boys side by outclassing No. 2 John Altiche, 6-1, 6-1, while Nguyen toppled second ranked Marinel Rudas, 6-4, 6-2, to capture the girls diadem in the Group I tournament presented by First Gen Corporation and sponsored by Smart Communications.

But Rudas got back at Nguyen in their showdown for the 16-under crown, outsteadying the top-seeded bet in the first set before completing a 7-6, 6-1 victory in the tournament organized by Juntaphil and backed by Pet One, RCBC, Sole Footbeds and Pepsi.

Top seed Arjohn dela Cruz also lived up to the hype in the 16-under class as he thwarted second seed Mavrick Victoria, 6-4, 6-3, while Argil Canizares held off Daniel Villasenor, 6-4, 6-4, in a duel of unfancied bets in the 14-under boys finals.

Fifth ranked Khrizelle Sampaton, meanwhile, battled back from a set down to beat second seed Isabela Orteza, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, and complete her stirring campaign in the 14-under girls division where she also stunned the top-ranked Maia Balce in the semis.

No. 3 Albert Lim Jr. also pulled off a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 upset win over top seed Eric Olivarez Jr. to cop the 12-under boys diadem while third seed Erika Manduriao dealt the top ranked Balce another shock loss, 6-2, 6-1, in the 12-under girls finals.

No. 5 Arthur Pantino, on the other hand, reigned in the 10-unisex division as he overwhelmed sixth ranked Jose Gabriel Tiamson, 6-3, 6-2.

Meanwhile, the third Juntaphil-organized tournament, dubbed the Okada-Juntaphil Cup (Group 3), starts tomorrow at the Manila Polo Club. For details, contact Juntaphil at (0917) 5295239 or tournament referee Boy Callao at (0928) 3735260.