MANILA, Philippines—Katrina Orteza defused the power game of sister Isabella to prevail, 6-0, 6-4, and capture the girls’ 16-under championship even as cousin Eric Olivarez Jr. nailed the first of his two title targets in the 23rd Andrada Cup Group 1 tennis tournament Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
The 15-year-old Katrina, seeded second in the division, patiently worked the baseline in conquering her 14-year-old sister and avenge her loss in their 16-under title duel during the Manila Polo Club/Henry Lee event last year.
The daughters of former players and now doctors Emy Olivarez and Neal Orteza, Katrina and Olivarez train daily at Alabang Country Club and are both varsity players for La Salle Zobel.
Making the annual age-group tournament a family affair was their 13-year-old cousin Eric Jr., who routed fourth seed Romnee Kyle Joseph, 6-0, 6-3, and clinched the boys’ version of the 16-under crown.
Eric Jr. was gunning for a double in his 18-under showdown with Christian San Andres that was still being played at presstime.
Unseeded Vince Russel shared the spotlight after scoring a stunning 6-0, 6-0 triumph over top seed Julian Dayrit for the boys’ 14-under title.
The other winners were top seeds Michael Francis Eala in the unisex 10-under, Arthur Craig Pantino in boys’ 12-under, Erika Manduriao in girls’ 14-under and Monica Therese Cruz in girls’ 12-under.
Eala imposed his superior skills against Aljon Talotayod, 6-2, 6-1; Pantino demolished second seed Jacob Martin, 6-1, 6-0; Manduriao downed unseeded Jade Charito Capadocia, 6-3, 6-3, while Cruz outclassed Rafaella Villanueva, 6-1, 6-0.
National team mainstays Marian Jade Capadocia and Marinel Rudas were also fighting for the girls’ 18-under crown at presstime.