Pagente tows first-round winners in Andrada Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Gennifer Pagente came out strong coming off a holiday break, crushing Justine Alvarado, 6-0, 6-0, yesterday at the start of the 28th Andrada Cup Junior Tennis Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Pagente, who scored two victories in the PSC-Philta event last December, sustained her form and overpowered Alvarado from start to finish as the top seed bet from Cagayan de Oro set up a second round clash with No. 8 Justine Maneja, who scored a 6-3, 6-1 win over Lila Salvacion in the girls’ 16-and-under class.

Other winners were No. 3 Micaella Vicencio, who also shut out Trish Romero, 6-0, 6-0; and unranked Crystal Mildwaters, who upended fourth seed Blanche Lagrisola, 6-1, 6-0.

In the girls’ 14-under category, Julia Ignacio outplayed Frenchesca Elise Cruz, 6-4, 6-4; Kryshana Brazal rallied past Mica Ella Emana, 6-0, 2-6, 10-7; and Bettina Catoto downed Trish Romero, 6-0, 6-1, in the Group 1 tournament supported by former Philta vice president Manuel Misa of Altamar Shipping, Thaddeus Sporting Goods and official ball Babolat.

In the boys’ 16-under division, Daniel Estanislao held off Lucas Fernandez, 6-3, 7-5, to advance against No. 6 Angelo Aparte, who took a bye along with No. 1 Janus Ringia, No. 2 Marcus del Rosario, No. 3 Jose Antonio Tria,  No. 4 Aljohn Talatayod, No. 5 Jan Harol Trillanes, No. 7 Athan Arejola and No. 8 Jules Lazaro.

Also advancing were Jerome Ignacio, who prevailed over Keno Enriquez, 6-1, 6-0; and Jeremiah Macias IV, a 6-2, 6-3 winner over Sam Mamaril.