THE Philippine Tennis Association kicks off its 2017 calendar with the staging of the 28th Andrada Cup from Jan. 2 to 8 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Held in honor of Philta president Salvador Andrada, the tournament features the country’s top juniors, including Mindanao players Janus Ringia and Gennifer Pagente, both double champions in the 2016 season-ending Philta-PSC Age Group Championships.
Ringia of Koronadal, South Cotabato and Pagente of Cagayan de Oro City are seeded No. 1 in both the 18-under and 16-under in their respective divisions.
The other top seeds are John David Velez (boys’ 14-under), Andrei Jarata (boys’ 12-under), Macie Carlos (girls’ 14-under), Tennielle Madis (girls’ 12-under and 10-under unisex).
The Andrada Cup, which is supported by former Philta vice president Manuel Misa of Altamar Shipping, Thaddeus Sporting Goods and official ball Babolat, will also determine the composition of the national teams competing in four major international tournaments later this year.
The ITF/ATF Division 14-Under, Junior Davis Cup and Junior Federation Cup will be held in New Delhi, India on January 28 –February 12 (ITF-ATF 14-Under), February 20-25 (JDC and JFC pre-qualifying), March 13-18 (JDC final qualifying) and March 20-25 (JFC final qualifying).
The World Juniors Tennis Championships pre-qualifying is slated Febr. 27 to March 4 in New Delhi, India while the final qualifying will be held on March 20-25 (boys) and March 27-April 1 (girls) in Bangkok, Thailand.