Resma, Orteza stay on collision course

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Roxanne Resma and No. 2 Katrina Orteza came away with a pair of one-sided victories to move into the semifinal round of the girls’ 18-and-under division in the third Olivarez Cup Age Group 2013 at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat yesterday.

Resma toppled Angela Sunga, 6-2, 6-0, to arrange a Final Four duel with Nicole Amistad, who scored a walkover win over third seed Isabella Orteza, while Katrina Orteza defeated Isabella Mendoza, 6-1, 6-0, to seal a semis duel with fourth seed Khim Iglupas, who routed Jana Hernandez, 6-1, 6-0.

Top seed Eric Jed Olivarez recovered from a second set meltdown to stop Jerome Romualdez, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, and reach the finals of the boys’ 16-and-under class while third ranked Cenon Gonzales Jr. upset Emmanuel Vacalares, 6-4, 7-5, to gain the first finals berth in the 14-and-under class.

Iglupas also posted a 6-1, 6-0 win over Frances Santiago to lead the semifinalists in the 16-and-under play of the event presented by Palawan Pawnshop and held in honor of former Parañaque mayor Dr. Pablo Olivarez.

Isabella Orteza also advanced with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Ma. Dominique Ong while Resma goes for the third berth against the winner of the Andie Villarosa-Alexie Santos match and Coleen Sioson shoots for the last slot against the winner of the Amistad-Kristin Salimbangon faceoff.

Melanie Faye DIson, meanwhile, took the first semis seat in the girls’ 14-and-under with a walkover win over top seed Rafaella Villanueva even as top seed Diego Dayrit and No. 4 Miguel Vicencio gained the first two semis slots in the 10-and-under unisex class of the event sponsored by Dunlop Sports, Stronghold Insurance, FedEx Air21 and Olivarez Sports Center.

Dayrit booted out Amanda Zoleta, 6-3, 6-1, while Vicencio overpowered Sebastian Lhuillier, 6-0, 6-3.

Meanwhile, action in the centerpiece Open division fires off Sunday with matches in the ladies singles, featuring the country’s leading players, including top seed Marinel Rudas, No. 2 Clarice Patrimonio, third seed Marian Capadocia and fourth ranked Aileen Rogan.

Davis Cupper Johnny Arcilla, on the other hand, headlines the star-studded men’s field that includes second seed defending champion Vicente Anasta, No. 3 Patrick Tierro, fourth seed Rolando Rue Jr., No. 5 Roel Capangpangan and sixth ranked Ronard Joven.

In boys’ play, top seed Andrew Cano beat Nicolas Cano, 6-3, 6-2, to advance to the semis of the premier 18-and-under category against third seed Betto Orendain, who won by default over Claudio Canlas.

No. 4 Vernon Huivonhua survived Ralph Antonio, 7-5, 4-6, 10-6, to clinch the third semis berth against the winner of the Kyle Joseph-Jeremiah Latorre duel.