Mendoza, Quitara lead first round winners in Toby’s netfest

MANILA, Philippines – Francis Mendoza turned back Franco Turo, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 10-8, and Lawrence Quitara downed Harley Vince Culaba, 6-0, 6-3, to advance to the next round of the boys' 12-under of the 13th Toby's Summer Tennis Festival at the Rizal Tennis Center Tuesday.

Stefano Gurria, Matthew Garcia, Carl Matthew Carasus, Nicos Ison and Shant Nuguit hurdled their respective opponents to likewise surge through the second round of this event bankrolled by Toby's Sports and sanctioned by the Phl Tennis Association.

Gurria blanked R. J. Salangsang, 6-0, 6-0; Garcia overcame a pesky Jennard Gonzales, 6-3, 7-6 (5); Carasus trounced Jose Martin Buenaventura, 7-6 (6), 6-2; Ison waylaid I. J. Sevilla, 6-0, 6-0; and Nuguit overpowered Kevin Kyle de Castro, 6-1, 6-2, to all move on.

Johan Bautista, Daniel Estanislao III and Ian Sevilla, for their part, hardly broke a sweat as they barge into the second round after drawing byes.

In the non-ranked 16-under for boys, Alan Jerard Ordinario smashed Dustine Yu, 8-0, Al Dizon outlasted A.Q. Rivera, 8-6, and Michael Anthony Hibo ousted Ian Sevilla, 8-4, to live for another day.

Other qualifiers in the division were Joshua Marasigan, Sean Uy, Chester Bruce Castillejo, Klyde Adap and Leo Angelo Cordero. 

 The event is presented by Toby's Sports and Prince, in partnership with Smart, and in cooperation with the Philta, Equipe, Adidas and Gatorade.

The weeklong meet will have a singles ranking or a Philta Category 2 level for boys and girls 18-under, 16-under, 14-under and 12-under and 10-under unisex, a non-ranking beginner's event for boys and girls 16-under and 12-under and a doubles ranking for 18-under, 14-under and 10-under unisex.