Second seed Stefan Suarez survived the rash of upsets that befell the other fancied bets, trouncing No. 4 Ryle Singson, 6-1,
6-0, to reach the finals of the premier boys’ section in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age-group 2014 in Bacolod City yesterday.
Suarez, who posted earlier wins over Kevin Villa and Prince Clelo, dominated Singson with his powerful groundstrokes and crosscourt winners to make the finals of the 18-and-Under class of the event presented by Technifibre, the official ball.
Kurt Angelo Molina, who shocked top seed Fernando Arguelles (4-2, 4-1) in the quarterfinals, and unranked Bryan Bayking, who upended No. 5 Adrian Javier (4-2, 4-2), were disputing the other finals berth at press time.
Justin Suarez, also seeded No. 2 in the 16-U class, held off Reyniel Marcellana, 5-4(4), 4-2, in the quarterfinals before overpowering No. 3 Karl Baran, 6-2, 6-1, in the semifinals. He advanced to the finals against the winner of the Arguelles-Singson duel at Monta and Manville Tennis Court.
In girls’ play, top seed Toni Rose Raymundo heads the final eight cast in the 18-U division. The others are No. 2 Valerie Desoyo, No. 3 Rushlyn Clelo, Marie Abejo, Gwencel Benignos, Judelee Juntarciego and Grace Prietos.
Raymundo also bundled out Vivian Flores to lead the quarterfinalists in the 16-U category, where she will be joined by Tracy Llamas, Jewel Milliam, Desoyo, Clelo, Apple Dayanan and Kim Galanza.
No. 1 Kiana de Asis and No. 8 Erika Sevilla likewise set up a quarterfinal duel in the girls’ 14-U section.