Suarez trips Lhuillier, gains Philta finals

JUSTIN Suarez encountered stiff resistance from Stephan Lhuillier before prevailing, 6-4, 6-1, to reach the finals of the 1st Philta Presidents Cup Age Group Tennis Championships.

The 15-year-old Suarez, highly favored to win the title following the withdrawal of top seed Gabriel Tiamson, faces Mik Balce in the boys’ 18-and-Under finale at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center this Saturday.

Second seed Mikaela Vicencio advanced to the semifinals of the girls’ 18-U category with a walkover victory at the expense of Hannah Dela Cruz.

Vicencio takes on Bea De Ocampo in the semifinals while No. 1 seed Camille So faces Gabby Sandejas, a 6-0, 6-1 winner over Ella Mae Bayno.

Vicencio also faces No. 4 Francesca Marie Cruz in the semifinals of 16-U.

In boys’ 12-U, No. 2 Edgardo Manuel Angara ousted Sean Andrei Bernardo, 6-2, 6-3, to arrange a last four tiff with unseeded Alejandro Barrientos.