Manila: Siethe Caroline Aludo of Agusan del Sur marched to the girls' U16 second round after posting a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Sophia Opoc Tuesday in the Philta National Age Group Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Malate, Manila. The 14-year-old Aludo, a Grade 8 student at Trento National High School, will face No. 8 Micaiah Katriel Cena, who advanced after a walkover against Angelyn Carmona.
According to Philippines News Agency, Siethe Caroline is the sister of Shane Martina and national team member Stefi Marithe, who are competing in the U14 and U18 categories, respectively. In the boys' U12 division, No. 6 Rafael Benigno Cablitas demolished Lucas Victor Lim, 6-0, 6-0; No. 7 Maximus Alexander clobbered Joshua Mikkel Lee, 6-0, 6-0; and No. 15 Francis Gabriel Abacan drubbed Andrew Pimentel, 6-1, 6-0, in the first round.
Meanwhile, Kristian Novak Brazal of Pasig City needed two and a half hours to prevail over Nathan Andal, 6-3, 4-6, 22-20, in the boys' U18 division. The 15th-seeded Brazal, an incoming Grade 12 student at Sta. Lucia High School, will next face Prince Jake Unahan, who advanced after a walkover against John Mateo De Ocampo.
No. 16 Brylle John Laceda, Jeremiah Caleb Labasano, John Michael Rellona, Godwin Kaido Jumarang, Enzo Rafael Dimaano, and Tomas Javier Roque also advanced in this Grand Slam-category event, which is supported by Tecnifibre and the Philippine Sports Commission.
In the boys' U16 division, Enzo Luis Figueroa triumphed over Rufus Arriola, 6-2, 6-3, and will set up a duel with top seed Krels Jan Gecosala, who drew a first-round bye along with second seed Julius Andrei Otoc and third seed Anthony James Cosca. First-round winners in the girls' U18 division included No. 5 Claire Casiller, No. 7 Gesellyn Constancio, No. 8 Sabine Dasha See, and Ashley Catharina Garcia.
