Rivera, Vitaliano to represent PH in WTA Future Stars in Singapore

Shaira Hope Rivera and Miles Vitaliano scored similar upset victories Thursday to dominate their respective age-groups and earn the rights to represent the Philippines to the WTA Future Stars Tournament in Singapore in October.

Rivera bested topseed Monica Therese Cruz, 6-4, 6-1, to capture the girls 16-under, while Vitaliano shocked No. 1 Mikaela Vicencio, 7-6 (7-5), 6-0, to win girls 14-under of the Olivarez Cup tennis championships presented by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala.

For winning their events, Rivera and Vicencio will be sent to Singapore to compete against their counterparts from 16 other countries from Asia Pacific region on Oct. 20-27.

The WTA Future Stars coincides with the WTA Finals, the most prestigious tourney in the women’s circuit outside of the Grand Slams that features the top 8 players in the world.

“This is their chance to prove their worth and enhance their promising career and Philta and Palawan Pawnshop are confident Rivera and Vitaliano will be able to hold their own against the top juniors in the WTA Future Stars,” said Philippine Tennis Association president Edwin Olivarez.

Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro also expressed confidence in the two Filipinos. “Shaira and Miles have shown tremendous improvement through their campaign in the Palawan Pawnshop circuit and with proper training and motivation, we expect them to do good in WTA Futures.”

Last year, the Philippines sent Rafaella Villanueva and Cruz to the Singapore.

Meanwhile, Cruz made up for her loss when she ruled the centerpiece 18-under division after defeating Melanie Dizon, 6-2, 6-1.

Second seed Macie Carlos joined the upset bandwagon when she stunned top seed Amanda Zoleta, 6-4, 6-3, to win the girls 12-under title, along with unranked Allen Manlangit from Iligan City who shocked Chris Prulla in the first round (6-3, 6-0) on his way to winning the boys 18-under crown at the expense of Mark Cabahug, 5-7, 6-1, 6-3.

Justin Suarez, son of former Davis Cup hero Raymond Suarez, also scored a big upset after beating No. 1 Cenon Gonzales Jr., 6-1, 6-4, to snare the 16-under, while second seed Marcus del Rosario repulsed No. 1 Nio Tria, 6-3, 7-5, for the 14-under gem.

Also winning their respective events were No. 2 Miguel Luis Vicencio, who downed Jan Harold Trillanes, 6-2, 7-5, for the 12-under title; and top seed Marc Andrei Jarata, who edged Samuel Nuguit, 4-1, 5-3, for the the 10-unisex crown.