Saraza, Ortezas top Juntaphil Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Kim Ivor Saraza clipped Deo Talatayod, 6-4, 6-3, to capture the boys’ 21-under crown while Patricia Joy Orteza scored an abbreviated 0-1 (Ret.) win over sister Katrina for the girls’ 18-under plum in the Juntaphil age group tennis tournament at the Baguio Tennis Club outdoor courts in Burnham Park yesterday.

Second seed Alberto Villamor fashioned out a 6-0, 6-1 romp over the top ranked Talatayod to bag the boys’ 18-under diadem while Albert Lim Jr. capped his remarkable campaign in the 16-under class by beating No. 5 Alfonso Opulencia, 7-5. 6-2 in the finals of the Group 2 tournament sponsored by First Gen Corp. and Smart Communication.

Katrina Orteza earlier subdued top seed Anne Castillo, 6-2, 7-5, to pocket the 16-under crown while younger sister Isabela Orteza rallied from a set down to turn back top seed Maia Balce, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, in the 14-under final as the Ortezas swept the top three plums in the ladies side of the tournament backed by Tecnifibre, APM Agricom, Pet One, Accel, Kimura Chaves Enterprise, Friends of Juntaphil, Gigi Travers, Orlando Galang, Vic Buencamino Jr., Enrique Zalamea and Victor Co.  

No. 1 Chrislyn Sioson bucked No. 2 Chloe Saraza’s challenge as she pulled off a tough 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 decision to clinch the girls’ 12-under title while fancied Michael Eala reigned in the 10-unisex category by downing No. 4 Marcus del Rosario, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-0.

Mimo Tomacruz also lived to his top billing although he needed to fight back from an opening set loss to beat third seed Cenon Gonzales Jr., 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, to win the boys’ 12-under championship.

Meanwhile, the country’s leading and upcoming junior netters resume their campaign tomorrow when the fourth First Gen/Juntaphil Metro Age Group tennis tournament is fired off at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Events on tap in the tournament, presented by First Gen Corporation and sponsored by Smart Communications, are the 10-unisex, 12-, 14, 16- and 18-under categories in both the boys and girls divisions. Other titles to be disputed are those in the 10-unisex, 14- and 18-under doubles events, also in the boys and girls classes.