Top seed Andrei Jarata continued to steamroll the opposition to reach the semifinals of the 1st Philta Presidents Cup Age Group Tennis Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
The 11-year-old from Agoo, La Union toppled eighth seed Anya Rayson Simone Uy, 6-3, 6-1, in the boys’ 12 and under to arrange a pre-finale encounter with No. 4 Axl John Gonzaga, a 6-0, 6-1 quarterfinals winner over Rey Christian Ruanto.
In the other semifinal clash, second seed Edgardo Manuel Angara faces a dangerous foe in unseeded Alejandro Barrientos, son of former national team star Felix Barrientos.
Angara defeated Sean Andrei Bernardo, 6-2, 6-3, in the quarters while Barrientos pulled off a 6-2, 6-4 upset over third seed Markus Guinoo during the meet sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission and organized by the Philippine Tennis Association in honor of its past presidents.
No.1 Mikaela Vicencio also easily hurdled her opponents in the girls’ 16 years and under, taking fourth seed Francesca Marie Cruz to school with a 6-0, 6-0 whipping to make it into the finals.
Vicencio will have to deal with the winner between second seed Miles Vitaliano and No. 3 Macie Carlos in an other thrilling semifinal face-off.
Unseeded Mik Balce surprised the contenders in the boys’ 18 and under when the 16-year-old from Ateneo De Manila reached the championship match against tournament favorite Justin Suarez.
Balce also advanced to the finals of the boys’ 16 and under following a 6-1, 6-1 triumph over Miguel Luis Vicencio in the semifinals.
He will be waiting for the winner between No. 2 Marcus Del Rosario and the fourth-seeded Nio Tria, who topped Daniel Estanislao III, 6-0, 6-1, to seize a finals spot in the boys’ 14 and under.
