Golden double for Resma; Vicencio, Suarez sparkle

ROXANNE Resma returns a forehand against Isabella Orteza. EDWIN BELLOSILLO

Roxanne May Resma lived up to expectations yesterday, completing a golden double in the girls’ 18-under and 16-under divisions, but it was 11-year-old Mikaela Vicencio who created the biggest stir with an upset victory in the 12-under class yesterday in the 24th Andrada Cup National Age Group tennis championships at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Resma, 16, downed No. 5 Khim Iglupas, 6-4, 6-2, to claim the 16-under title and then returned a couple of hours later to roll back Isabella Orteza, 7-5, 6-3, and clinch the centerpiece 18-under crown, cementing her reputation as the country’s most promising young netter.

Vicencio, a sixth grader from St. James Academy in Plaridel, Bulacan, shared the spotlight when she pulled off a 6-0, 6-3 shocker over top seed Caryn Bless Guarde for the championship.

It was Vicencio’s third straight title over the past 30 days as she also ruled the same age group in the recent PSC-Philta and the Dunlop tournament during the holiday break.

Vicencio, who took up the sport at the age of nine, has so far won five championships and is tipped as one of the brightest players in the junior ranks.

Eric Olivarez Jr. downed Andrew Cano, 6-7 (7-4), 6-3, 6-3, for the premier boys’ 18-under title.

In the boys’ 16-under, Stefan Suarez also posted an upset when he downed No. 3 Eric Olivarez Jr., 6-0, 7-6 (7-5), for the title in the tournament sponsored by Dunlop Fort All Court Balls, Philippine Sports Commission, First Solid Group, St. Luke’s Medical Center and Sagip Bayan Foundation.

Also winning their respective divisions were Diego Dayrit in the 10-under unisex, Janus Ringia in the boys’ 12-under, Bryan Otico in the boys’ 14-under and Monica Therese Cruz in the girls’ 14-under.

Dayrit bested Alexandra Eala, 7-6 (5), 6-3; Ringia downed Michael Eala, 7-6 (4), 6-3; Otico stunned Emmanuel Vacalares, 3-6, 6-1 (7-6), and Cruz outlasted Frances Angela Santiago, 3-6, 6-3 (6-2).

Brothers Andrew and Jose Cano drubbed Kyle Joseph and Brysl Libao, 2-6, 6-2 (10-4) to nail the 18-and-under boys’ doubles crown.

The winners received their awards from sports commissioner and former tennis chief Buddy Andrada.