Andrada Cup: Prulla, Arzaga in solid starts

CHRIS Justine Prulla and Guia Arzaga posted impressive wins to jumpstart their bids in the boys’ and girls’ 18-under division yesterday in the 25th Andrada Cup age-group tennis championships at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Prulla, a 15-year-old prized find from San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, drubbed Paulo So, 6-3, 6-3, while Arzaga blanked Nitchelle Alvia, 6-0, 6-0, at the start of the country’s oldest age-group event initiated by former tennis chief Salvador “Buddy” Andrada, now a commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission.

“It’s a tough match, but in the end I played smarter,” said the 5-foot-11 Prulla, who is honing his skills for the Batang Pinoy finals after topping the Luzon leg in Zambales last year.

Prulla next faces Jose Nicolas Cano, who took a bye in the event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Dunlop Balls, Olivarez Sports Center, Cebuana Lhuillier, Altamar Shipping, Tru-Flex and Phinma Group.

Arzaga will have a tougher match against top seed and last year’s finalist Khim Iglupas.

Also making the boys 18-under second round were Andre Rodriguez, who downed Jeremiah Macias, 6-1, 6-3; and Albather Rosales, who ousted Aidyll Ignacio, 6-4, 6-2.

Joining the girls’ final eight is Alexis Bangayanho, who beat Aimea Rosales, 6-4, 6-4, and will next face Patricia Nicole Paez, who took a bye. Persian Rivera routed Torrance Arejola, 6-1, 6-0, and will next battle Virgie Perez, a 6-0, 6-1 victor over Johanna Therese Capinpin.

Other results: 10-under unisex—Von Saraza d. Julia Ignacio (8), 6-0, 6-1; Rainer Angelo Selmar d. Weigold Robin, 6-4, 6-3; Miguel Luis Vicencio (1) d. Edgardo Angara, 6-0, 6-0; Rafael Liangco d. Alyssa Mae Rosales, 6-1, 6-2; Kryshana Brazal d. Riley Matieu Banaag, 6-2, 6-3.