Iglupas reaches girls 18-under semifinals

MANILA, Philippines — Internationalist Khim Iglupas, bidding to capture the title that slipped through her hands last year, dumped Guia Arzaga, 6-0, 6-1, Tuesday to cruise to the girls 18-under semifinals in the 25th Andrada Cup age-group tennis championships at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Rated No. 604 in the world, the 15-year-old Iglupas lived up to her top billing in crafting the masterful win in just an hour under hot weather. Last year’s finalist in the tough Phinma doubles and quarterfinalist in singles, Iglupas will gun for a final spot against Patricia Nicole Paez, who scored a 6-3, 6-2 win over Alexis Bangayan.

Persian Rivera escaped with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) win over hard-fighting Virgie Perez to also make the semis of the tourney initiated by Philippine Sports Commissioner Salvador “Buddy” Andrada in 1989 when he headed the Philippine Tennis Association.

Iglupas, who lost the 18-under title to Roxanne Resma, is also in the 16-under quarterfinals and is waiting for the winner between Bianca Catoto and Zethley Mae Alferez. Spunky hitter Khryshana Brazal led the charge in the girls 12-under semis after a 6-3, 6-1 triumph over Justine Hannah Maneja.

She will challenge Denise Bernardo, who eliminated Macie Carlos, 6-2, 6-4. Julia Ignacio and Bettina Catoto both advanced outright after their rivals didn’t show up and will face each other in the semis.

Other results: 10-under unisex—Brazal d. Riley Matieu Banaa, 6-2, 6-3; Cesar Kristoffer Salimbangon d. Estogero Kidlat, 6-0, 6-0. Boys 12-under—Mark Alfred Directo d. Jude Hidalgo, 6-0, 6-0. Girls 16-under—Frances Santiago d. Katrina Penaflor, 6-0, 6-1. Boys 14-under—Arthur Craig Pantino d. Max Luz Stehling, 3-6, 6-3, 10-4; Directo won by default. Jacob Martin d. John Keizer Llira, 6-0, 6-0; Gabriel Tiamson d. Darryljohn Alano, 6-3, 6-3. Joseph Raymond Anida d Justine Suarez, 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 10-7; Aldwyn Rosales won via walkover.