Cebu netters stay hot in Tru-Flex tennisfest

CEBU, Philippines - Seven Cebuanos advanced to the semifinal round, while seven others barged into the quarterfinal of the 14th Tru-Flex National Age-Group Tennis Championships in four different venues in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday.

 Marc Norman Enriquez felt like he's already a champion in the boys 18 already he scored an upset 6-3, 7-6(8-6) victory over the top-seeded Dave Sebastian Mosqueda in their quarterfinal match at Paseo de Amores.

Enriquez will take on next fellow Cebuano Changmai Necesario, who handily ousted Justin Cabano, 6-1, 6-1.

Zethley Mae Alferez and Shyne Villareal also blasted separate opponents to move into the penultimate round of the girls 14-under class.

Alferez broke the heart of Kristin Renee Salimbangon, 6-1, 6-1 in the quarterfinals, while Villareal stunned Manila’s Maxine Martin, 6-0, 6-1.

Alferez, however, missed a double semifinal entry after being outsmarted by Jana Pages, 6-4, 6-3 in the girls 16-under division played at the Haruhay Dream Resort.

 Like Alferez though, Pages did not have the day all to herself after losing to Khim Iglupas in the girls 18-under semis, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. Iglupas will slug it out with the top-ranked Roxanne Resma in the championship round.

Over at the Lapu-Lapu City tennis courts, Jace Christian Unto followed fellow Cebuano Gabriel Andre Trazo to the semifinals after the former silenced Rupert Ohrelle Tortal, 6-0, 6-0.

Unto also hurdled his third round match at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Airbase against Manuel Navales, 6-2, 6-2 to set up a semifinal battle against fellow Cebuano Jan Godfrey Seno.

 Seno also booked a quarterfinal ticket in the boys 16 category along with fellow Cebuano players Jermaine Carl Chi Laurel, Arthur Craig Pantino, and Joshua Kinaadman. (FREEMAN)