Patrimonio foils Cruz, gains Olivarez semis

Clarice Patrimonio fought back from a second set setback to thwart Monica Therese Cruz, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, yesterday and clinch the first semifinal berth in the fifth Olivarez Cup Open Tennis Championship at Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque, yesterday.

The top-seeded Patrimonio, who absorbed her first set loss in the tournament, ended Cruz’s uprising by breaking her serve twice in the third set with a series of winners to seal a clash with the third-ranked Khim Iglupas.

Iglupas eased out No. 7 Marinel Rudas, 6-2, 6-1, in the ladies Open singles of the tournament presented by Palawan Pawnshop-Pala-wan Express Padala headed by president and COO Bobby Castro.

Second seed Edilyn Balanga and No. 4 Maia Balce were still playing at presstime with the former clashing with Clarice’s sister Christine and Balce taking on Samanthan Coyiuto.

Coyiuto shocked fifth seed Hannah Espinosa, 6-4, 6-1, in the last 16 of the tournament held in honor of Dr. Pablo Olivarez, one of the founding fathers of Philippine tennis, on his 80th birthday.

Top seed PJ Tierro and No. 2 Johnny Arcilla, meanwhile, stayed on a collision course in the men’s Open singles after besting their quarterfinal rivals.

Tierro thumping No. 10 Arcie Mano, 6-1, 6-0, while Arcilla whitewashed No. 6 Mark Alcoseba, 6-0, 6-0.

Tierro guns for the first finals seat against No. 4 Vicente Anasta, who held off fifth-ranked Rolando Ruel Jr., 6-2, 7-6(1), while Arcilla will take on the winner between third seed Marc Reyes and No. 7 Roel Capangpangan who were still playing at presstime.

In men’s doubles, the top-seeded Tierro teamed up with Joven Ronard to upend Radharani Reyes and John Victoria, 3-6, 6-1, 10-5, in the second round.

Second seeds Anasta and Mark Alcoseba overwhelmed Joshua Masangkay and Christopher Moreno, 6-1, 6-3, in the lower half of the draw.