Katrina storms younger sister, cops 16-U title

MANILA, Philippines - Second seed Katrina Orteza downed younger sibling and fourth pick Isabella Orteza, 6-0, 6-4, in an all-sister finale to clinch the girls’ 16-under singles title in the 23rd Andrada Cup Group I tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

Eric Olivarez, Jr. reigned supreme in the boys’ side of the same age bracket after he walloped No. 4 Romnee Kyle Joseph, 6-0, 6-3, in this event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission in honor for former long-time tennis chief and now PSC commissioner Buddy Andrada.

Olivarez, nephew of Philippine Tennis Association president Edwin Olivarez, thus kept his bid for a double victory as he was battling Christian San Andres in the boys’ 18-under finals at press time.

The rash of upsets ended on the final day as the rest of the tournament top seeds lived up to their top billing and went home with the crowns.

Unisex 10-under singles No. 1 Michael Francis Eala set the tone for the fancied netters by making quick work of upset-conscious Aljon Talatayod, 6-2, 6-1, while boys’ 12-under singles No. 1 Arthur Craig Pantino imposed his will against No. 2 Jacob Martin with an empahtic 6-1, 6-0 win to clinch the title.

No. 1 Erika Manduriao smashed unseeded Jade Charito Capadocia, 6-3, 6-3, to reign in the girls’ 14-under singles category.

Monica Therese Cruz downed No. 2 Rafaella Villanueva, daughter of Phl Davis Cup team administrator Randy, 6-1, 6-0, to run away with the 12-under title.

The only upset of the day came in the boys’ 14-under singles division after unheralded Vince Russel Salas hammered out a shock 6-0, 6-0 victory over No. 1 Julian Dayrit.