Del Rosario stuns Martin, gains q'finals

MANILA, Philippines - Miguel del Rosario came away with a stunning 6-3, 0-6, 6-3 victory over top seed Jacob Martin to crash into the quarterfinal round of the second PSC/Philta age group tennis championship at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

Del Rosario dominated Martin in the opener but struggled in the second before reasserting his might in the third to pull off the win. He will take on the winner of the Adrian De Hertogh-Dario Sujica match for a berth in the Final Four of the boys’ Under-12 category.

Sohaimen Mama also shocked No. 7 Gabriel Tiamson, hanging tough in the second set to complete a 6-4, 7-5 victory and arrange a Last 16 duel with Emmanuel Fuellas, also in the U-12 class of the Group I tournament sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission through the initiative of sports commissioner Col. Buddy Andrada.

Fuellas earlier clipped Jules Lazaro, 6-1, 6-1.

Mama also gained in the U-14 division, beating Martin, 6-3, 6-3, for a spot in the Last 8 either against top seed Julian Dayrit and Maraphael Teng.

In girls’ U-14, Frances Angela Santiago overwhelmed Rafaela Villanueva, 6-1, 6-0, while Cloe Mae Saraza scored a walkover win over Bianca Catoto to set up a quarters clash with Ingrid Mariz Gonzales, who booted out Johanna Capinpin, 6-1, 6-0.

Juan Enrique Jugo dominated Alexandra Eala, 6-3, 6-0, but will have his hands full in the quarters against top seed Mico Eala, who won via default over Adam Sujica in the unisex 10-under category of the event featuring the country’s leading juniors players and future stars.

Aljohn Talatayod also advanced with a 6-2, 6-1 romp over Maxine Martin while John Alexander Bulilan and Maverick Legaspi set up a quarters clash with walkover wins over Alessi Villanueva and Marvin Espina, respectively.

In boys’ U-16 division, Mark Conception clobbered Raphael Enriquez, 6-1, 6-0, to advance to the second round along with Fernando Arguelles Jr., who scored a walkover win over Joachim Samson.

Other events on tap in the week-long event which offers ranking points, including 200 points to the champion are the premier boys and girls’ U-18 and U-16 categories.