Seeded jr netters resume campaign

MANILA, Philippines - Action in the First Gen Juntaphil Metro Age Group Tennis Championships is expected to heat up today with top seed Kim Ivor Saraza taking on Michael Teng and second seed John Altiche squaring off with Juan Cano in two of the featured matches in the 18-under boys’ division at the Olivarez Tennis Center in Sucat.

Also seeing action are the country’s top ladies with top seed Tamitha Nguyen colliding with Jamielyn Tafalla and No. 2 Marinel Rudas tangling with Maika Tanpoco in the centerpiece 18-under division of the Group I tournament presented by First Gen Corporation and sponsored by Smart Communications.

Meanwhile, top ranked Marraphael Teng led yesterday’s winners in the 10-unisex side as he toppled Zirack Mina, 6-1, 6-3, while Rafa Villanueva ripped Aliya Saraza, 6-0, 6-1.

Also advancing in the tournament organized by the Junior Tennis Association of the Philippines (Juntaphil) and backed by Pet One, RCBC, Sole Footbeds and Pepsi are Lance Jumawan, Angelo Saraza, Manuel Balce III, Chloe Mae Saraza and Justin Suarez. Jumawan whitewashed Brethren Gonzales, 6-0, 6-0; Angelo Saraza overwhelmed Remo Gualberto, 6-1, 6-0; Balce dominated Marian Hipolito, 6-1, 6-2; Chloe Saraza beat Blanche Lagrisola, 6-1, 6-0; and Suarez defeated Mia So, 6-0, 6-2.

In the 14-under class, Rocio Climent scored a walkover win over Bea Ebriega to set up a clash with top seed Maia Balce in the girls side while Angela Gonzales also won by default over Chryslin Siosio to arrange a last 16 duel with No. 2 Isabela Orteza in the lower half of the draw.

Others who breezed through the second round were Ingrid Gonzales, who whipped Janelle Llavore, 6-0, 6-1; Samantha Um, who blanked Alexis Bangayan, 6-0, 6-0; Catherine Zamora, who won by default over Bianca Bongco; Dominique Ong, who thumped Samantha Martin, 6-1, 6-0;

Rachelle De Guzman, who beat Stephanie Ricafort, 6-0, 6-1; Erika Manduriao, who scored a walkover win over Brends Carandang; Caitlin Espedido, who thwarted Mary Ondap, 6-1, 6-2, Nicole Coppersmit, who drubbed Jana Hernandez, 6-0, 6-2; and Andrea Amistad, who won via default over Stephanie Belludo.

Gaining grounds in the boys’ side of the 14-under group are Mimo Tomacruz, Argil Canizares, Christian San Andres, Eduardo Lopez, Vince Salas, Arkane Cordova, Angelo Gonzales, Joel Atienza and Tomas Puno.