MANILA—Gabriel Manotoc eliminated the second-seeded Jama Reyes, 3 and 2, to reach the quarterfinals and sparked a string of reversals in the 2011 Philippine Junior Closed championship yesterday at the posh Ayala Alabang layout.
The top-ranked Ruperto Zaragosa was the only top-four bet that advanced after tearing apart Kristopher Arevalo, 6 and 5, in the event presented by Pancake House and SOC Land and backed by the Herma Group, Great Depot, Callaway and Odyssey Golf.
The 13-year-old Manotoc, the youngest son of many-time champion Tommy, went 2-up after five holes and went on to seal a showdown against lefty Andres Saldana, a 16-year-old, who took out Gio Gangiongco, 2 and 1.
Lloyd Go bundled out No. 4 seed Basti Lorenzo, 1-up, and will next meet long-hitting Miggy Yee, a 4-and-3 winner over JP De Claro, with Justin Quiban and Aris Mata clashing in the final quarterfinal match.
Quiban took out third-seeded Miguel Shah, 1-up in 19 holes, while Aris Mata was simply too good for AR Ramos in a 5-and-4 triumph.
Zaragosa, who has played just 28 holes in two matches, next battles Eric Gallardo, a 3-and-1 winner over Gus Mata, for a place in the Final Four.
In girls’ play, top seed Daniella Gonzales took out LK Go, 5 and 3, while Mia Legaspi booted out Nikki Bruce 9 and 8.
Felicia Medalla, Maan Legaspi, Daniella Uy, Princess Superal, Samantha Martirez and Maria Monsalve also advanced by beating their respective foes.