Okada-Juntaphil Cup under way

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s leading and upcoming junior netters resume their chase for ranking points as they compete in the Okada-Juntaphil Cup starting today at the Manila Polo Club in Makati.

Tamitha Nguyen goes for her second championship in as many weeks as she leads the field in the 18-under girls class. The daughter of former star Edna Olivarez will also see action in the 16-under class of the Group 3 event presented by Okada Resorts and First Gen Corp. and sponsored by Smart Communications.

Tipped to crowd her in the premier division are Jasmine Tan Ho, Liz Magaway and Maika Tanpoco while Anne Castillo, Monika Banez and Tanpoco will try to foil her bid in the 16-under category.

Top seed Alberto Villamor and No. 2 Ellison Bingcang head the field in the boys’ 18-under while Betto Orendain and Hans Asistio will be the players to beat in the 16-under class of the tournament organized by the Junior Tennis Association of the Philippines (Juntaphil) and backed by Pet One, RCBC, Sole Footbeds, Pepsi/Tropicana and Accel.

Leading the 14-under class are Andrew Cano and Romnee Joseph in the boys side and Maia Balce, Patricia Paez and Krizelle Sampaton in the girls division.

Balce, out to atone for her failed bid in last week’s First Gen tilt, also vies in the 12-under class together with Nicole Coppersmith while Mimo Tomacruz and Joel Atienza head the boys’ side.

Marraphael Teng and Michael Eala, on the other hand, are the fancied players in the 10-unisex category. For details, contact Juntaphil at (0917) 5295239.