Cortez, Penafiel stun fancied rivals

MANILA, Philippines - Monica Cortez and qualifier Carlos Penafiel pulled off a pair of stunners to barge into the semifinal and quarterfinal rounds in their respective divisions in the Baguio Junior Tennis Championships at the Baguio Tennis Club in Baguio City Wednesday.

Cortez, who routed Keesha Sagandoy, 6-2, 6-0, in the second round, outlasted top seed Ma. Dominique Ong in the first set tiebreaker then hung tough in the second to complete a stirring 7-6(7), 7-5 victory to clinch a semis berth in the girls’ 16-under category of the event organized by the Junior Tennis Association of the Philippines.

The win set up Cortez against Ma. Urduja Eminga, who survived Dana Mae Regala, 7-5, 6-3, while No. 2 Andrea Amistad blanked Bianca Vergel de Dios, 6-0, 6-0, to arrange a clash with Chrislyn Sioson, who downed Bianca Bongco, 6-3, 6-0, for the other finals slot.

Cortez also reached the semis of the 14-U class with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Bianca Bongco for a clash with second seed Chrislyn Sioson, who whipped Jonalyn Soliven, 6-1, 6-0. Ong also toppled Regala, 6-2, 6-3, to advance against third seed Amistad, who dominated Sagandoy, 6-0, 6-0.

Carlos, on the other hand, flashed top form to oust No. 4 Enrico Ong, 6-0, 6-1, and reach the quarters of the boys’ 14-U class of the Group 2 tournament sponsored by First Gen Corp. and Smart Communications. He goes for a semis stint against Joshua De Guzman, who booted out Carl Abadilla, 6-1, 6-2.

Top seed Jerome Romualdez breezed through the Last 8 phase with a 6-1, 6-4 rout of Gian Aquino for a duel with Neil Tangalin, who saw off Marraphael Teng, 6-2, 6-1, while Jacob Martin needed an extra set to repulse Marcus del Rosario, 6-3, 1-6, 6-0, and arrange a quarters clash with Cenon Gonzales Jr., who beat Jay Estacio, 6-1, 6-2.

Miguel Mejia, who turned back Aidyll Ignacio, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, and second seed Joel Atienza, who whitewasted Jerome Ignacio, 6-0, 6-0, dispute the other semis berth in the tournament backed by Techni-fibre Balls, APM Agricom, Accel, Columbia Candy, Kimura Chaves, Vic Buencamino Jr., Orlando Galang, Gigi Travers and the Friends of Juntaphil.