25th Gullas Tennis Cup Kicks Off with Grand Launch in Cebu
The 25th Gullas Tennis Cup was officially launched on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Doña Andrea Multimedia Center on the University of the Visayas (UV)-Main Campus. The event marked the beginning of preparations for what promises to be a thrilling junior tennis competition scheduled from April 16 to 20, 2026.
Organizers and Venues Unveiled
Key figures present at the launch included John Vicente "Johnvic" Gullas, his son John Tristan (JT), and his nephew Jose Miguel "JMi" Gullas. Also in attendance was John Pages, a tournament organizer who has been involved since 1995. The Gullas family expressed optimism that this year's edition will be more exciting and engaging than ever before.
The tournament will be held at two prestigious venues: the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club in Barangay Pardo and the Citigreen Tennis Resort in Barangay Punta Princesa, both located in Cebu City. These locations are expected to provide a top-notch setting for the young athletes.
Legacy and Impact of the Tournament
Johnvic Gullas, who now oversees the competition, took over from his late father, Jose "Dodong" Rivera Gullas, the founder of the event. Over its 25-year history, the Gullas Tennis Cup has grown into the largest junior tennis tournament in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. It has been instrumental in discovering and nurturing numerous tennis talents.
Notable alumni of the tournament include Sally Mae Siso, Oswaldo Dumoran, Francis Casey Niño Alcantara, Norman Joseph Enriquez, Jacob Lagman, and Fitzgerald Tabura. These players have gone on to achieve success in the sport, highlighting the cup's significant role in developing young athletes.
Special Features for the 25th Anniversary
To celebrate its silver anniversary, the tournament will feature a new logo and revive the traditional "Fellowship Night," an event that fosters camaraderie among participants and organizers. John Pages announced that the competition categories will include boys and girls divisions for ages 12, 14, 16, and 18 Under.
Pages expressed hope that this year's event will surpass the 180 participants recorded in the previous edition. Registration for the tournament opens on Monday, March 9, 2026. For more details, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official Gullas Tennis Cup Facebook page.
The launch event underscored the tournament's enduring legacy and its commitment to promoting tennis among youth in the Philippines. With enhanced features and high expectations, the 25th Gullas Tennis Cup is poised to be a landmark event in the regional sports calendar.
