Dizon, Balce pull off reversals, gain q'finals

MANILA, Philippines - Melanie Faye Dizon and Maia Balce took out their fancied rivals to crash into the quarterfinal round of their respective divisions while Marc Concepcion wore down Hakeen Cariga in the boys’ side of the Olivarez-Philta Open Tennis Championships presented by Palawan Pawnshop Express Pera Padala at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat yesterday.

Dizon held on in a thrilling contest and outfoxed top seed Chrislyn Sioson, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 10-7, to advance to the Last 8 of the girls’ 14-and-under class while Balce upended No. 8 Lenelyn Milo, 6-3, 6-3, to reach the quarters of the premier 18-and-under division of the ranking tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop Express Pera Padala.

Concepcion, meanwhile, hung tough in the first set then completed a 7-6 (5), Ret. victory over ninth ranked Cariga in the boys’ 18-and-under division of the two-week long event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association.

Joining Dizon in the quarters are third seed Rafaella Villanueva, who saw off Nica Alanis, 6-0, 6-3; No. 8 Camille So, who thwarted Karamina Atangan, 7-5, 6-4; No. 5 Chloe Mae Saraza, who turned back Bianca Cruz, 2-6, 7-5, 10-6; and fourth seed Charito Capadocia, who defeaed Anne Zamora, 6-1, 6-0.

Top seed Samantha Coyiuto survived a second set scare from Khim Iglupas to carve out a 6-1, 7-5 victory to set a quarters duel with No. 7 Macy Gonzales, who booted out Eren Penados, 6-1, 6-4, in the girls’ 18-under, while second seed Rachell de Guzman scored a walkover win over Harem Bugarin and will face No. 6 Ma. Angele Sunga, who downed Ana Bienes, 6-1, 6-4.

Balce will take on third seed Katrina Orteza, who dominated Joy Yuen, 6-2, 6-2; while No. 4 Roxanne Resma and No. 5 Isabella Orteza sealed a Last 8 clash with 6-0, 6-0 and 6-2, 6-1 victories over Isabella Mendoza and Jzash Canja, respectively.

Resma also led the quarterfinalists in the 16-and-under category after disposing of Janna Hernandez, 6-0, 6-1, while Balce whipped Bianca Cruz, 6-0, 6-2, and Canja won by default over Frances Santiago to likewise advance.

Joining them in the Last 8 are Sioson, who scored a walkover win over Erika Manduriao, Andrea Amistad, who blanked Johanna Capinpin, 6-0, 6-0, Orteza, who routed Catherin Po, 6-0, 6-0, Iglupas, who also won by default over Monica Cruz, and second seed De Guzman, who beat Andie Villarosa, 6-0, 6-1.

Top seed Michael Eala, meanwhile, rolled past Miles Vitaliano, 6-1, 6-0, to move into the quarters of the 10-unisex division along with Juan Jugo, who routed Sebastien Lhuillier, 6-0, 6-0; Nia Trio, who defeated Alexandra Eala, 6-4, 6-1; Jan Trillanes, who dominated Jose Aparte, 6-1, 6-2; Ryotaro Shimomura, who whisked off Matthew Garcia, 6-3, 6-3; and second seed Diego Dayrit, who smothered Miguel Vicencio, 6-0, 6-0.