Andrada Cup on at Rizal Memorial

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s top junior tennis players vie for top honors and ranking points in the first tournament of the season as the 25th Andrada Cup age-group championships fires off today at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The top performers will also gain berths in the national team set to compete in various international competitions, according to the organizers of the event, held in honor of former Philippine Tennis Association president and now Philippine Sports commissioner Salvador “Buddy” Andrada.

Competitions will be in the 10-under unisex and boys and girls action in 12-under, 14-under, 16-under and 18-under.

“This is a milestone year for Andrada Cup because we have established the tournament as the breeding ground for the national team,” said Andrada, who was just recently named Asian Tennis Federation honorary life president.

Backing up the week-long tourney are PSC and Philta board members led by president Edwin Olivarez, chair Jean Henri Lhuillier, Manuel Misa, Pablo Olivarez, Oscar Hilado and Julito Villanueva.

Last year, Cagayan de Oro’s Roxanne Resma shone with two titles, bagging the girls’ 16-under and 18-under to dominate the event.

But a host of up-and-coming players will be up to challenge her like Khim Iglupas and Katrina Orteza.

Claiming the crown last year were Diego Dayrit in 10-under unisex, Mikaela Vicencio in girls 12-under, Bryan Otico boys 14-under, Monica Therese Cruz girls 14-under, Andrew Joshua Cano boys 18-under and South Cotabato’s Janus Ringia in boys 12-under.

The tourney is a Philta-sanctioned Grade 1 event.