Top-ranked Michael Eala, Monica Cruz top Olivarez Open tennis

MANILA—Top seed Michael Francis Eala and Monica Therese Cruz ruled their respective divisions in the First Olivarez-Philta Open tennis at the Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque Monday.

Eala lived up to his billing in the unisex 10-under class finals as he outlasted Marcus del Rosario, 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, for the title.

Cruz then outgunned top seed Chrislyn Sioson, 6-1, 6-3, to top the girls’ 12-under class.

The third-seeded Palarong Pambansa standout had an almost perfect first set but found her opponent too aggressive in the second set.

“I sort of relaxed in the second set but when I saw that Chrislyn was determined to beat me, I focused more on the match,” said the 11-year-old Cruz in Filipino.

Other finals matches will pit Marian Jade Capadocia and Akiko de Guzman in the girls’ 18-under class and top seed Argil Lance Canizares against No. 2 Kyle Parpan.

Capadocia edged Katrina Orteza, 6-4, 6-2, while de Guzman downed Macy Gonzales, 6-0, 6-2.

Canizares downed Joachim Samson, 6-4, 7-5, and Parpan stopped Andrew Cano, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Eric Jed Olivarez Jr. and Christian San Andres will also clash in the boys’ 14-under finals after beating Daniel Villasenor, 6-0, 7-5, and Marcen Angelo Santiago, 6-4, 6-2, respectively.

The men’s singles champion will take home P80,000 and the women’s titlist P40,000.