Miguel, Pica make Last 8 in Juntaphil Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Karl Philip Miguel and Bianca Denise Pica came away with a pair of straight-set victories over their respective seeded rivals to reach the quarterfinal round of the 10-unisex division of the 16th Juntaphil age group tennis tournament at the Baguio Tennis Club outdoor courts in Burnham Park yesterday.

The unranked Miguel, who dumped Justin de Guzman, 6-4, 6-2, in the first round, bundled out No. 5 Bea De Ocampo, 6-2, 6-1, to set up a quarters duel with third seed Diego Dayrit, while Pica toppled No. 6 Joseph Anida, 6-3, 6-1, in the lower half of the draw.

Pica will take on Sabrina Alano in one of today’s QF matches after the latter scored a walkover win over second seed Blanche Lagrisola in the event, the first of two tournaments of the Juntaphil Summer Tennis Series sponsored by First Gen Corp. and Smart Communication and backed by Tecnifibre, APM Agricom, Pet One, Accel, Kimura Chaves Enterprise, Friends of Juntaphil, Gigi Travers, Orlando Galang, Vic Buencamino Jr., Enrique Zalamea and Victor Co.   

Meanwhile, Baguio Tennis Club president Marlowe Licudine made the ceremonial serve during Monday’s opener of the Group 2 tournament which drew a record 244 entries from Bontoc, La Union, Ilocos, Cagayan, Olongapo, Pampanga, Marawi and Metro Manila. Others who graced the event were Baguio City Councilor Peter Fianza and Baguio City sports coordinator Edison Villafuerte.

The other quarterfinalists were top seed Michael Eala, No. 7 Juan Jugo, Joseph Soriano and No. 4 Marcus Del Rosario.

Top seed Kim Saraza whipped Raul Magno, 6-2, 6-3, to join Joselito Cortes and Radharani Reyes in the last 8 of the premier 21-under boys play. Saraza will next play with Jasper Tan, a 6-3, 6-0 winner over Arjohn dela Cruz, while third seed Alberto Villamor trounced Hans Asistio, 6-3, 6-2 to clinch the other seat in the upper half of the draw.