Tortal wins 14-under title in PSC-PHILTA age-group championships

CHAMPION. Boys’ 14-under winner Rupert Ohrelle Tortal of Surigao City (third from right) holds his trophy during the awarding ceremony of the PSC-PHILTA Age Group Championships at the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) in Paco, Manila. From left are Davao City coach Rollyto Litang, Ruperto Tortal, national coach Czarina Arevalo, PHILTA president Atty. Antonio Cablitas, who also serves as presidential adviser on investments, Rupert Orhelle, PHILTA vice president Martin Misa and national coach Cris Cuarto. (PNA photo)

MANILA — Second seed Rupert Ohrelle Tortal and unranked Jenaila Rose Prulla were crowned champions in the 14-under category of the Philippine Sports Commission-Philippine Tennis Association (PSC-PHILTA) Age Group Championships at the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) indoor shell courts in Paco, Manila.

Except for the 8-under unisex, 10-under unisex and 12-under categories, all matches scheduled on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center hard courts were moved to the PCA due to the heavy downpour.

Tortal, of Surigao del Norte won after his opponent, unseeded Marco Macalintal of Laguna, retired due to cramps in the second set with the score tied at 4-all. Tortal won the first set, 4-2.

“I’m used to playing on hard courts so it was very hard for me to adjust (to) this kind of surface,” said the 14-year-old Tortal, who collected his fifth 14-under title. He is a Grade 8 student at Surigao City National High School.

“He’s (Macalintal) is a good player. It just so happened that he was forced to retire because of cramps,” added Tortal, who is training under Philippine Tennis Academy-Cagayan de Oro under Bebot Sanchez, Tibs Palasan, Jonelle Llavore and Izon Autentico.

Tortal has competed in the 13th Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) 14-under series in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia last September.

He won the doubles title with Brent Signmond Cortes and was runner-up in the singles event.

Macalintal, a bronze medalist in the Batang Pinoy National Finals in Baguio City last September, eliminated top seed Axl Lajon Gonzaga of Olongapo City, 4-1, 5-3 to forge a title showdown with Tortal.

Macalintal, a silver medalist in the team event during the 2017 Palarong Pambansa in Antique, also ousted fourth seed Prince Luis Salvacion in the first round and fifth seed Jude Michael Padao in the quarterfinal.

Meanwhile, Prulla pocketed the girls’ 14-under title after posting a 4-0, 4-1 victory over Mica Ella Emana.

Emana collected her second title after pulling off a 4-0, 4-0 upset win over top seed Marielle Alexi Jarata of La Union in the 12-under final.

In the boys’ 18-under final, unseeded Zire Mina toppled top-ranked Aljohn Talatayod, 4-0, 4-0.

Talatayod bounced back in the 16-under category when he beat unseeded John David Velez of Davao City, 4-1, 4-0, in the championship round.

In the girls division, unseeded Kaye Ann Emana won the 18-under title after third seed Jonamil Prado of Mati, Davao Oriental retired with the score at 2-0.

The 16-under title went to seventh seed Justine Maneja of Galas, Quezon City, who prevailed over unseeded Tiffany Nocos, 4-0, 4-2.