Romualdez, top seeds reach Andrada quarters
Former World Junior championships player Jerome Romualdez stormed to the quarterfinals of the boys 16-under class amid expected wins from seeded rivals yesterday in the 26th Andrada Cup age-group tennis championship at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
The 15-year-old Romualdez, who is also vying for slot in the junior Davis Cup team, slammed Jeromie Ignacio, 6-0, 6-0, to advance along with top seed John Bryan Otico and second pick Cenon Gonzales Jr.
The third-seeded Romualdez will battle fifth seed Emmanuel Fuellas, a 6-2, 6-0 winner over Tim Gumban, for a place in the semifinals.
Article continues after this advertisementOtico thrashed Lee Yoon-hak, 6-0, 6-1, while Gonzales crushed Lordrens Pacheco, 6-1, 6-1, to also advance.
Gonzales also moved up the quarterfinals in the 18-under category by beating Mat Steven Palasan, 6-0, 7-6 (7-3).
He got through along with Pacheco, who beat Jean Aidyll Ignacio, 6-2, 6-1. King Golfo walked over second seed Marcen Gonzales.
Article continues after this advertisementIn girls 12-under, top seed Gaby Zoleta and second seed Macie Carlos handily beat their respective foes to book semifinal tickets in the event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Altamar Shipping, Tru-Flex and Thadeus Sporting Goods.
Shaira Hope Rivera outlasted Rafaella Villanueva, 5-7, 6-4 (10-8), in a thrilling girls 18-under match late Tuesday. Rivera thus made the semis against either top seed Colleen Sioson or Jackie Tan-Ho, who plays today.
Zoleta, niece of former PH netters Bambi and Bien Zoleta, pounded out a 6-0, 6-0 demolition of Julia Ignacio and set up a semis showdown with Bettina Catoto, who walked over Hailey Agustin.
Carlos also handily won over Marielle Jarata, 6-1, 6-0, to get through against Khryshana Brazal, who won by default over no-show Alyssa Rosales.
Top pick Marc Andrei Jarata scored a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Agustin to make the quarterfinals in the 10-under unisex division.
Jarata will be up against Joshua Diva, who downed Marcus Macarage, 6-0, 6-1. Riley Matheu Banaag pulled off a 6-1, 3-6 (10-4) shocker over fourth seed Prince Luis Salvacion.
