Emana keeps hot streak, tops Olivarez Cup
MICA EMANA continued to flash top form to dominate the girls’ 16and 18-under divisions while Al Tristan Licayan shocked top seed Renante Bravo, Jr. to snare the boys’ 14-under crown in the Palawan Pawnshop-palawan Express Pera Padala Olivarez Cup national juniors tennis tournament in Sucat, Parañaque, over the weekend.
The sixth-ranked Emana, coming off a win and a runner-up finish in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, last week, repulsed No. 3 Marielle Jarata, 7-5, 6-2, to bag the 16-under title for the second straight week.
The Quezon City find then got back at sister and fourth seed Kaye-ann, 6-2, 6-1, in 18-under finals to post the only two-title romp in the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop.
Licayan, on the other hand, thwarted second seed France Dilao, 7-6(7), 6-2, in the semifinals then wore down Bravo in the decider to clinch a 4-6, 6-0, 10-5 victory.
The fourth-ranked bet from General Trias, Cavite, however, fell short in the quarters of 16-under play but shared Most Valuable Player honors with Emana in the week-long event hosted by the Olivarez family in their continuing commitment to help develop the sport.
The other winners in the tournament serving as part of the country’s longest talent-search put up Palawan Pawnshop president Bobby Castro marked by a number of three-set duels were Caloocan City’s Khian Abellera (boys’ 12-under), top seed Kendrick Bona from Puerto Princesa City (boys’ 16-under), Ormoc City’s John Velez (boys’ 18-under), Adriana Lanza from Pasig City (girls’ 12-under) and Bacoor City’s Jelena Diaz.
The second seeded Abellera turned back No.
1 Julio Naredo, 3-6, 6-2, 10-8; Bona foiled Bravo, 4-6, 6-3, 10-2; the third-ranked Velez routed top seed Marc Jarata, 6-2, 6-1; top seed Lanza blasted Jan Dagoon, 6-1, 6-2; and No. 1 Diaz held off third ranked Sandra Bautista, 6-0, 7-6(3).
Action shifts to Apalit in Pampanga with another huge field all geared up to dispute top honors in eight age-group divisions starting Friday. For details and registration, contact Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.