Olivarez President’s Cup unfolds

MANILA, Philippines - Hostilities in four divisions in the boys’ category kick off the Palawan Pawnshop President’s Cup age group tennis tournament today with action expected to be fierce right in the opening round at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.

Matthew Gironella takes on Alejandro Dumaran, Joshua Apeta clashes with Emmanuel Fuellas, Justine Prulla battles Jayson Timbal, Dexter Versola collides with Mikael Gabriel, Paolo So faces off Miguel del Rosario, and Miguel Gran squares off with Mark Concepcion in the first six matches in the 32-player, 18-and-under draw.

Top seed Eric Jed Olivarez, No. 2 Andrew Joshua Cano, third-ranked Marcen Gonzales and fourth seed Romnee Kyle Joshua take opening round byes and will see action tomorrow and Saturday.

Mimo Tomacruz tests Ambrose Besas’ mettle in the 16-and-Under class that will also pit Del Rosario against Al Burahan, Lorenzo Cerrado versus Jacob Co, Jeremiah Co against Gironella, Ricardo Santos versus Joshua Cabanog, Virgil Ramos against Steven Gonzales, Gran versus Justin Israel and Jeremiah Macias III against Gabriel.

Two matches are on tap in the 14-U category with Angelo Aparte clashing with Justin Israel and Dale Israel tangling with Maverick Legaspi.

Matthew Garcia takes on Elijah Guillermo, Carl Carasus mixes it up with Aljon Talatayod and Red Ante battles Dale Israel in the 12-U division of the tournament, the last of three big tournaments held in honor of Philta president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

The six-day Group 2 event is sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop headed by COO Bobby Castro and Technosports through president Guillermo Nocom.

 The 10-unisex will also have five matches in a busy opening day with second seed Daniel Estanislao III meeting Marvin Espina, No. 3 Alfred Doloroso tangling with Macie Carlos and fourth ranked Juan Carlo Lapore clashing with Pearl Patoc.

Other matches pit Jester Ocio versus Joaquin de Leon and Edgardo Angara against Elijah Guillermo.

Action in the girls’ side, headed by the likes of Katrina Ortez and Erika Manduriao (18-and-U), Chloe Saraza and Faye Dizon (16-and-U), Rafaella Villanueva and Mikaela Vicencio (14-and-U) and Blanche Lagrisola (12-and-U) starts Saturday.