Dizon, Balce score Philta Open upsets
UNHERALDED Melanie Faye Dizon and Maia Balce bested their seeded foes yesterday in the girls’ singles of the Olivarez-Philta Open tennis championships presented by Palawan Pawnshop Express Pera Padala at Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.
Dizon subdued top seed Chrislyn Sioson, 6-4, 6-7 (7-5), 10-7, to barge into the quarterfinals of the 14-under, before Balce nipped 8th seed Lenelyn Milo, 6-3, 6-3, to progress in the premier 18-under class.
Up next for Balce is No. 3 Katrina Orteza, who downed Joy Yuen, 6-2, 6-2, in the quarterfinals.
Fourth seed Roxanne Resma dumped Isabella Mendoza, 6-0,6-0, and will next take on No. 5 Isabella Orteza, who booted out Jzahs Canja, 6-2, 6-1.
Also rocking the draw was Marc Concepcion, who ousted Hakeem Cariga, 7-6 (5), retired, in the boys’ 18-under of the event organized by the Philippine Tennis Association.
Third seed Rafaella Villanueva also advanced in the girls’ 14-under with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Nica Alanis. Also winning were No. 8 Camille So, who downed Katamina Atangan, 7-5, 6-4; No. 5 Chole Mae Saraza, who trounced Bianca Cruz, 2-6, 7-5, 10-6; and fourth pick Charito Capadocia, who routed Anne Zamora, 6-1, 6-0.
Escaping the upset axe in the girls’ 18-under was top seed Samantha Coyiuto, who repulsed Khim Iglupas, 6-1, 7-5, to forge a quarterfinal duel with No. 7 Macy Gonzales, a 6-1, 6-4 winner over Eren Penados.
Second seed Rachelle de Guzman walked over Harem Bugarin and will tangle next with No. 6 Ma. Angele Sunga, who ripped Ana Bienes, 6-1, 6-4.
Resma also advanced to the 16-under quarterfinals with a 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Janna Hernandez, while Balce followed suit after dumping Bianca Cruz, 6-0, 6-2. Canja rolled to the next round by default.
Sioson stayed in contention in the 16-under with a walkover win over Erika Manduriao. Also advancing were Andrea Amistad who routed Johanna Capinpin, 6-0, 6-0; Katrina Orteza, who ripped Catherine Po, 6-0, 6-0; Iglupas who walked over Monica Cruz; and No. 2 De Guzman, who bested Andie Villarosa, 6-0, 6-1.
