Alpuerto barges into final

Inspired by her recent Federation Cup experience, top seed Vida Alpuerto made mincemeat of fourth ranked Tracy Bautista, 6-1, 6-2, yesterday to barge into the finals of the girls’ 18-and-under in the Head-Penn Age Group Tennis Championship at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

A member of the RP team which blanked Hong Kong, 3-0, in Kaohshiung, Taiwan in their Asia Oceana Zone Group II match, Alpuerto faces No. 2 pick Charise Godoy, winner over No. 3 seed Julie Ann Cadiente, 7-5, 6-3, in the finals.

The boys’ 12-and-under top pick Pablo Olivarez II also made his presence felt after he downed No. 3 Ruel Arcilla Jr., younger brother of Davis Cupper Johnny, 7-5, 7-6 (6), to advance to the finals versus No. 4 Gerard Bergavera, who stunned second seed Juan Felipe Mayor, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.

In the unisex 10-and-under bracket, top two seeds Bambi Zoleta and No. 3 pick Gerard Michael Ngo eked out contrasting triumphs to arrange a final’s clash. — Joey Villar