Villanueva turns back Alanis, gains quarterfinals

NATIONAL junior player Rafaella Villanueva outclassed Nikka Alanis, 6-0, 6-1, yesterday to barge into the girls’ 18-under quarterfinals of the  fifth PSC-Philta National age-group tennis tournament at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The 14-year-old Villanueva, who represented the country in the recent Southeast Asian juniors, will next take on Shaira Hope Rivera who took a bye to the final eight.

Sharing the spotlight with Villanueva were Colleen Sioson and Frances Santiago who marched to the quarters in the girls’ 16-under with similar victories. Sioson blanked Bianca Catoto, 6-0, 6-0, while Santiago also scored a shut out win over Mikaela Vicencio. Andrea Amistad stopped fourth seed Rivera, 6-4, 6-4.

In boys’ action, Romnee Kyle Joseph and Jude Hidalgo scored upset wins to lead the charge to the quarterfinals in their respective divisions.

Joseph, a Sports Science student at University of the Philippines, sprang back to life after a sluggish second set to stun seventh seed Emmanuel Fuellas, 6-1, 2-6 (10-8), in the boys’ 18-under of the event sponsored by the PSC and organized by the Philippine Tennis Association.

Hidalgo toppled No. 5 pick Samuel Naguit, 5-4 (7-2), 4-1, in the 10-under unisex of the tournament backed by Asiatraders, Corp. for the Dunlop Fort All Court Balls.

Hidalgo, who studies at St. Paul College-Vigan, will next face second seed Macie Carlos, who whipped Brent So, 4-1, 4-1.

Johan Singh starred for the day in the boys’ 14-under after stunning No. 7 Jerome Ignacio, 6-3, 6-3, to advance to the quarters.