INQUIRER Sports

Top seeded netters had their way against their lower-ranked foes at the start of the 2009 Thirsty Tennis Cup yesterday at the Cebu Country Club.

Leading the way was 16-Under top-seed Franklin Encarnacion, who cruised his way to the semifinals after beating Dionson Jan Zuriel, 8-0, in the quarterfinal round.

His next opponent will be Joseph Grel Tallo, who beat Charles Augustin Alibano, 8-1, in their quarterfinal match.

Other smifinialists in the division was Ricard Fuentes and Dan Eldred Cino.

In the 14-under category, top-seed Francis Parangan stunned Clyde Dale Bienes, 8-1, to make it to the semis. He will face Jarryd Laurel, who nipped Al Anthony Rota, 8-2, in the quarters. Ed Adrian Parangan and Marc Norman Enriquez are the other semifinalists for the 14-U division..

Girls? 12-Under top seeded Clarissa Fuentes joined the fray as she won over Shyne Villareal in the quarterfinals, 8-1.

She takes on Sheena Camporendondo in the semis. Camporendondo routed Dawn Albert Uy, 8-4 in their round-of-16 match..

Also making the semifinals was Jana Pages, the daughter of the organizer John Pages. She blanked Kristine Salimbangon, 8-0, for a semis encounter against Zethly Mae Alferza, who won over Beverly Olive Enriquez, 8-5.

John Godfrey Seno also shone in the first day as the 10-Under unisex top seed won against Marc Suson, 8-1, to advance in the semis.

He will play against Rey Dante Toledo, who beat gener Francis Lambayan, 8-0, in the quarterfinals.

Derek Tabotabo also advanced to the semis after his opponent Kristine Salimbangon filed to suit up. He will face Arthur Craig Pantino in the semis.

This Saturday will be the start of the 18-under boys and girls, 14 and 16 under for girls, which will be held at the same venue.

A total of 61 junior tennis players from Cebu joined this yearly tournament, which is organized by Sports Writers Association of Cebu (SAC) president John Pages and tournament director Fritz Tabura.

The tournament was moved a day later due to bad weather on Saturday.