THE country’s finest age-groupers take centerstage starting today for the 29th Andrada Cup Tennis Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Some 130 players will see action in different age brackets: 10-under unisex, 12-under boys and girls, 14-under boys and girls, 16-under boys and girls and 18-under boys and girls. There will be doubles action in 10-under mixed, 14-under boys and girls and 18-under boys and girls.
The annual tournament runs will run until Jan. 8. Today’s opening matches are set at 8 a.m.
Col. Salvador Andrada, former president of the Philippine Tennis Association, is behind the tournament, which is now on its 29th year, making it the longest-running grassroots event for tennis in the country.
“It’s been a tradition. It’s part of our commitment to help the sport,” said Andrada, also former commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission, on the eve of the tournament that offers ranking points for the age-groupers.
Eyes will be on the 14-under group because it is part of the selection process for the national teams to the Junior Davis Cup, Junior Fed Cup and the World Junior Tennis Championships.
John David Velez of Mindanao and Macy Carlos of Manila ruled the boys’ and girls’ 14-under divisions last year. Among last year’s winners were Janus Rangia (16-under boys) and Crystal Mildwaters of Australia, who ruled both the girls’ 16-under and 18-under groups.
Among the talents that have come out of the Andrada Cup tournament are Jeson Patrombon, Alfredo Lim Jr., and Francis Casey Alcantara, who all made it to the national team.
Andrada thanked the Philippine Sports Commission and private companies like Thadeus Sports and Altamar Shipping headed by Manuel Misa for their full support to the event. Tecnifibre is the official ball.
“They all know the value of grassroots development,” said Andrada.