Abad-Velez duel looms in Olivarez Open

Danna Abad and Patricia Velez, both from Davao City, eked out straight-sets victories to make the semifinal round of the girls’ premier class in the PPS-PEPP Olivarez Open regional age group 2017 at Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque, on Monday.

The top seeded Abad dominated Francesca Cruz, 6-1, 6-1, while the No. 5 Velez worked hard before upending No. 2 Ma. Aubrey Calma, 6-4, 6-3, to reach the Final Four of the 18-and-under division.

Abad will have her hands full against No. 4 Nicole Bautista, who defeated Denise Bernardo, 6-1, 7-5, while Velez will face Bea Acena, who trounced Bliss Bayking, 6-0, 6-4, in the of the Group I tournament serving as a prelude to the Open.

A total of 156 players will dispute the eight berths in the main draw of the Olivarez Open, starting with the two-day qualifier Tuesday.

Top seed Johnny Arcilla and No. 2 PJ Tierro lead the battle for the P50,000 top purse in the 64-player men’s Open, while Clarice Patrimonio and Khim Iglupas are the top seeds in the women’s side offering a top prize of P25,000.

In other matches, Gabriel Tiamson stunned top seed Klyde Lagarde, 6-0, 6-0, to advance to the semifinals against Lordrenz Pacheco and No. 2 Vince Tugade romped past Athan Arejola, 6-1, 6-1, for a semifinal clash with Jeremiah Macias III in boys’ 18-U.

Other semifinalists were Marcus Del Rosario, Laurenz Quitara, Lagarde and Tugade (16-U); John David Velez, Jay Balaoing, Sal Andre Lago and Exequiel Jacutan (14-U); Marc Jarata, Reyman Saldivar Jr. and Lago (12-U); and Tenielle Madis (10-unisex). —VANESSA B. HIDALGO