ERIC JED Olivarez outplayed Jose Nicolas Cano, 6-1, 6-2, to reach the semifinal of the 18-and-under boys’ division before rain stranded matches in various divisions of the fourth PSC-Philta age group tennis tournament at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.
The top-ranked Olivarez used his power and superb baseline game to dominate Cano and advance against the winner of the Stefan Suarez-Joachim Samson duel in the event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission and backed by Wilson Championship Extra Duty Balls.
Also tipped to advance to the Final Four of the premier division are Jerome Romualdez and second seed Marcen Gonzales, whose games were halted due to rain.
Olivarez likewise stayed on course for a double as he led the semifinalists in the 16-under category with a walkover win over Eubert del Rosario in the Group I tournament held in honor of PSC commissioner Buddy Andrada.
Meanwhile, top seeded Jake Martin whipped Javier Miguel De Jesus, 6-0, 6-0, to lead the Last 8 cast of the boys’ 14-under.