Crisosto raps Arguelles, enters Palawan final

MANILA, Philippines - Matthew Crisosto overpowered second seed Fernando Arguelles, 6-3, 6-2, to barge into the finals of the boys’ premier division in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age-group tennis circuit presented by Technifibre at the Lapaz Tennis Club in Iloilo City over the weekend.

Crisosto leaned on his solid baseline game and superb groundstrokes to stun Arguelles, breaking him once in the opening set then dominating the second to advance to the finals of the 18-and-U class of thee event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and sanctioned by Philta headed by president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

The third-ranked Crisosto, who is also vying for a quarters seat in the 16-U section, will face the winner of the other semis duel between top seed Luke Flores and Reyniel Marcellana in the six-day event hosted by Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III and drew players from Manila, Davao, Bacolod, Dumaguete, La Carlota, Pontevedra and the whole of Panay Island.

Top seed Toni Rose Raymundo, meanwhile, cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 romp over Mae Abejo to advance to the semis of the girls’ 18-U against Jean Suinio, who subdued Nina Sumaculub, 6-0, 6-3. The other semis match pits Mary Grace Zapanta, who routed Andrea Seballos, 6-1, 6-1, against Judalee Juntarciego, who held off April Prietos, 6-1, 7-5.

“This is a good tournament for our young players and from the entire Panay island in line with our Play and Learn Program for the youth here in Iloilo,” said Espinosa.

Averille Sacapano, 12, and winner of three titles in last week’s stop in Capiz, Roxas City, moved into the girls’ 14-U semis with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Jovina Violata. She will next face Tracy Llamas, who turned back Amor Decendario, 6-2, 6-1.

Sacapano also reached the semis of the 12-U category, batting back from a set down to snatch a thrilling 4-6, 6-2, 10-7 victory over Hillary Beam Wayco. No. 3 Kiana de Asis routed Rizza Ann Cubos, 6-1, 6-1, to face Sacapano in the Final Four of the event backed by Technifibre as the official ball.