THE COUNTRY’S up-and-coming tennis stars will see action in the 25th Andrada Cup age-group championships slated Jan. 6 to 12 at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila.
The tournament, the oldest of its kind in the Philippines, has produced talents like Francis Casey Alcantara, Clarice Patrimonio and Jurence Zosimo Mendoza.
Alcantara is now a stalwart at Pepperdine University in California and plays for the Philippine Davis Cup team. Patrimonio is a Southeast Asian Games medalist, while Mendoza is also slated to play in US NCAA.
“Our vision of providing a steady supply of new tennis talents 25 years ago is already bearing fruits,” said Philippine Sports Commissioner Salvador “Buddy” Andrada of his brainchild.
He said this year’s Andrada Cup is a milestone not only because it’s already on its 25th year but also because it gathered all the tennis godfathers in the country.
Pouring in their support for the event are Philta president Edwin Olivarez and past presidents and Philta directors Pablo Olivarez, Julito Villanueva, Oscar Hilado and Manuel Misa.
Andrada served as Philippine Tennis Association head from 1986 to 2000. He is also a former president of Asian Tennis Federation and has recently been named ATF Honorary Life President.
Andrada said registration is going on for the season-opening tourney in the Philta calendar. For inquiries, call Philta offices at 5252016 and 5236415.