Martin, Santiago pull off big wins

MANILA, Philippines - Unranked Jacob Martin and Frances Santiago continued their giant-killing spree as they bundled out top seed Marraphael Teng and fifth-ranked Jose Gabriel Tiamson, respectively, to set up a semifinal showdown in the 10-unisex division of the Okada-Juntaphil Cup at the Manila Polo Club yesterday.

Martin, who earlier booted out No. 8 Rafa Villanueva, overcame a first-set setback by winning the next two in impressive fashion, 1-6, 6-2, 6-1, to arrange a clash with Santiago, who stunned No. 5 Joseph Gabriel Tiamson, 6-3, 6-1.

Santiago’s victory came on the heels of her equally-imposing win over No. 4 Chloemae Saraza, 6-3, 6-3, in the Last 16 stage of the Group 3 tournament presented by Okada Resorts and First Gen Corp. and sponsored by Smart Communications.

Third seed Angelo Saraza, on the other hand, took the next semis seat in the lower bracket as he overwhelmed No. 6 Manuel Balce III, 6-0, 6-2.

Others vying for semis berths at presstime were third seed Angelo Saraza and No. 6 Manuel Balce III, and second seed Michael Eala and No. 7 Lance Jumawan.

In the girls’ 16-under Isabella Mendoza fashioned out a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Rocio Climent to reach the quarterfinal round while No. 5 Tomas Puno whisked off Josh Naguiat, 6-3, 6-1, to advance to the Last 16 of the boys’ 12-under category.

Meanwhile, Camille So scored a walkover win over No. 1 Maia Balce to advance to the quarterfinal round of the girls’ 14-under class of the event organized by Juntaphil and backed by Pet One, RCBC, Sole Footbeds, Pepsi/Tropicana and Accel. She next faces Ana Atangan, who held off Ma. Dominique Ong, 7-6(2), 6-2.

Others who advanced via defaults were Meryll Ondap, Marie Rose San Jose, Stephanie Ricafort while second seed Patricia Paez thwarted Ingrid Gonzales, 7-5, 6-4, and No. 3 Krizelle Sampaton blanked Jana Hernandez, 6-0, 6-0.

Joachim Samson, a 13-year-old bet from Southridge Boys School, upended No. 5 Thomas Nguyen, 14, in a duel of youthful bets, 6-2, 7-6, to advance to the quarterfinal round of the boys’ 18-under class.

Top seed Andrew Cano outplayed Lorenzo Cruz, 6-1, 6-0, to lead the charge of the fancied bets in the boys’ 14-under division. No. 3 Jeremiah Latorre booted out Julian Dayrit, 6-2, 6-1, Ice Dandan tripped Tomas Puno, 7-5, 6-2, and Paolo So crushed Jose Mapa, 6-1, 6-1.