Pepito, 2 others reach Milo tennis finals

CEBU, Philippines - Nonito John Pepito, Zethley Mae Alferez and Kristine Renee Salimbangon are the first three netters to book final tickets in the Cebu leg of the 2012 Milo Junior Tennis Cup yesterday at the Cebu International Tennis Centre, Inc. (CITSI) in Brgy. Laray, Consolacion.

Pepito, the second seed in the 10-under class, pulled off an impressive 6-3, 6-3 win over Eric Louise Longakit in the semifinal. He will take on next either the top-seeded Vince Lominoque, Zoe Andrea Willems or Zack Salimbangon.

Zack’s sister Kristine Renee advanced outright to the girls 12-under final where she will face Zeth Mae Alferez. The two players will also see action in the girls 14-under.

On the other hand, three players from San Beda College made their presence felt in the event organized by the Children’s Tennis Workshop (CTW). They are Andre Rodriguez, Elijah Arevalo and Pocholo Macalino.

Rodriguez dismissed Francis Lambayan, 6-3, 6-2, in their quarterfinal match, Arevalo came up with a 6-2, 6-1 rout of Marion Abinuman, while Macalino secured a semis spot in the boys 16 class after edging out Rap Juliane via super tie-break, 5-7, 6-2, 10-8.

Up next for Macalino is Jarrryd Laurel, who advanced following a 6-0, 6-2 demolition of Denzel Garciano, 6-0, 6-2.

Juliane, for his part, looks forward to avenging his loss to Macalino as he reached the boys 18 semis with a 6-1, 6-0 mauling of Brian Mangapis.

The other semifinalist in the boys 18 is Marc Enriquez, who defeated Adward Alomna, 7-5, 6-3.

The rest who barged into the semifinal phase were Francis Lambayan, Nathaniel Alipe, Jace Unto and Rey Dante Toledo in boys 12, Bohol’s Dawn Albert Uy in the girls 14 and 16, Martina Cabrera, Elgy Dasian and Allysa Mae Bornia and Sally Mae Siso in girls 18. - THE FREEMAN