Martin, Eala rule Andrada netfest

MANILA, Philippines – Jake Martin and Alexandra Eala sustained their sharp forms till the end, pulling off similar shocking triumphs late Thursday to dominate the boys and girls 16-under divisions of the 27th Andrada Cup age-group tennis championships at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Aljon Talatayod also capped an impressive run to the boys 14-U title, beating Juan Carlo Lapore, 6-0, 6-2, in the final match.

Martin, a 10th grader from Xavier School who won seven titles in his age group last year, turned back top seed Manuel Balce, 6-2, 6-4, for the top plum in the meet sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Tennis Association.

Ten-year-old Eala also shared the spotlight with a stunning 6-1, 6-1 triumph over top seed Rafaella Villanueva for the girls 16-U diadem.

The left-handed Eala, who possesses strong forehand and double-handed backhand, scored her second title in a row after winning the 14-U division last month in the PSC-Philta nationals.

The 15-year-old Martin, who started at age of seven after dabbling in baseball and golf, endured a late second set charge from Ateneo stalwart Balce, fighting back with powerful forehands to finish him off and claim the title.

It was a big start of the year for the former Illam (International Little League Association of Manila) catcher as he inched closer to a slot in the national team