Unheralded netter makes Andrada Cup semis

MANILA, Philippines — Unheralded John David Velez kept his giant-killing spree as he shocked second seed Jude Hidalgo, 6-4, 6-2, yesterday to make the semifinals of the boys’ 16-under division in the 30th Andrada Cup Tennis Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

It was the third straight upset win for the 14-year-old Velez as he also pulled the rug from under sixth pick Jester Ocio, 6-2, 6-3, in the second round Wednesday and No. 16 Miguel Castillo, 6-2, 6-2, the next day.

Velez will play the winner between No. 4 Rupert Orelle Tortal and Exequiel Jucutan at 9 a.m. today in this tournament named after former Philippine Tennis Association president Buddy Andrada.

A Davaoeño, Velez is on a hot streak, having topped the singles of the 13th Asian Tennis Federation tournament in Serawak, Malaysia late last year aside from winning some local tournaments in his age bracket.

Meanwhile, top seed Axl Lajon Gonzaga and Marco Macalintal topped separate foes to arrange their own semifinal showdown.

Gonzaga turned back Manolo Angara, 5-7, 7-5, 10-6, while Macalintal dumped Stephen Paul Catipon, 6-2, 6-3.

In the 14-under, Gonzaga also made the Final Four on a 6-0, 6-2 smashing of Joshua Diva.

Exequiel Jucutan downed Samuel Reane Nuguit, 6-2, 6-2; Darwin Cosca Jr. trounced Lukas Yupangco, 6-1, 6-1, and top seed Mark Andrei Jarata pulled off a 6-2, 6-4 win over Prince Patrick Salvacion in the other 14-under quarters matchups.

No. 1 Ma. Patricia Lim routed Gabby Sandejas, 6-2, 6-1, and No. 3 Jhastine Red Ballado slammed Sydney Bush, 6-1, 6-0, to arrange a semis duel at 9 a.m. today in the premier girls’ 18-under class.

In the girls’ 14-under, Jenaila Prulla edged Alexa Joy Milliam, 6-4, 7-6 (4), 11-9.