Unranked Alfred Directo led the charge of the unfancied bets, advancing to the quarterfinals in two divisions of the PPS-PEPP MAC’s Crankit Open/Juniors age group tournament at the Philippine Columbian Association courts in Paco yesterday.
Directo, from San Beda Alabang, came away with a pair of 4-0, 4-1 romps over Joshua John and Rafael Halili to join third seed John David Velez, and No. 6 Loucas Fernandez, and fellow unranked bets Joseph Gadon, Al Quiza, Joshua Tan, Arden Asilo and Chester Tiongson in the Last 8 of the premier 18-and-under class of the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala headed by Bobby Castro and MAC’s Crankit Foundation led by MCTA founder-coach Patricia Concon-Puzon.
Velez eased past Jibril Perpetua, 4-2, 4-2, and Nico Cristal, 4-1, 4-2; Fernandez routed Jester Ocio, 4-0, 4-0, and Geoff Asilo, 4-0, 4-2; Gadon stunned No. 2 Athan Arejola, 4-0, 4-1; and Edgardo Angara, 4-1, 4-2; qualifier Quiza repelled Miguel Castillo, 4-1, 1-4, 10-4, and No. 8 Matt Palasan, 4-1, 2-4, 13-11;
Tan scored a walkover win over No. 4 Joseph Geluz, then beat Rommel dela Cruz, 4-2, 4-5(3), 10-6; Asilo got past Godley Siale, 4-2, 4-2, and stunned No. 4 Tim Gumban, 4-2, 4-1; and Tiongson won by default over Bruce Hurtado then eliminated Joven Ebrada, 4-2, 5-3.
In contrast, the top seeded bets dominated the girls premier division with No. 1 Bea Acena and No. 2 Jazzelle Madis moving into the quarters with 4-0, 4-0 and 5-4(0), 4-2 wins over Gabby Sandejas and Margaud Rosales, respectively.
