ANDRADA CUP Unheralded bets hold sway

Unranked netters opened their title bids on a high note at the start of the 30th Andrada Cup Age Group Tennis Championships yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Juan Pablo Gonzaga led the day’s winners with a hard-earned 7-6 (4), 3-6, 10-7 triumph over Steven Perdido in the centerpiece boys 18-under division to set up a second-round meeting with the victor between fifth seed Carlos Belludo and Russe Israel.

Five players also advanced to the second round in the boys 16-under with Joewyn Rey Pascua besting Emmanuel Davila, 7-6 (1), 6-1, Exequiel Jucutan blanking Andre Justin Garcia, 6-0, 6-0, and Kirk Dion Agustin dumping Prince Patrick Salvacion, 6-1, 6-3.

Hans Villespin also defeated Manuel Lazaro, 6-2, 6-2, even as Joshua Diva blasted Juan Miguel Lenon, 6-0, 6-3.

In the boys 12-under, Cyrus Barcinal clipped Riles Pesengco, 6-2, 6-0; Juan Miguel Calañada edging Jayvin Santos, 6-4, 7-6 (1); Marcus Dimalaluan defeating Gerard Manigque, 6-0, 6-1; and Winnersome Borgonia beating Samuel Davila, 6-2, 6-3.

Meanwhile, some of the seeded netters who earned opening-round byes take center stage today, including boys 18-under top seed Jude Hidalgo, secondranked Stefano Gurria, No. 3 Loucas Fernandez, fourth pick Miguel Castillo and No. 5 Carlos Agustine Belludo.