Alferez books 2 q’finals tickets

CEBU, Philippines -  Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Zethley Mae Alferez secured a pair of quarterfinals appearance in the 21st edition of the Jose R. Gullas Tennis Cup yesterday at the Consolacion Tennis Club in Barangay Laray, Consolacion.

Alferez gained her first quarters berth after pulling off a lopsided 6-1, 6-1 victory over Pink Floyd Manabat in the under-16 class. She then didn’t break a sweat in advancing in the round of 16 in the under-18 as she enjoyed a bye.

Joining Alferez in the quarters are Patricia Velez, Kara Salimbangon, Joyette Moto and Shyne Villareal.

For her part, Edhel Parangan had to work hard to reach the quarterfinals of the under-16 as she outlasted Camille Villar in the super tie break, 6-2, 1-6, 10-7.

Another Palarong Pambansa medalist in Jose Maria Pague of Zamboanga Peninsula also got two quarterfinals slot via the boys 16 and boys 18 divisions.

Pague opened his bid with a dominating 6-0, 6-0 win over Nilo Ledama before upending Raphael Merced, 6-0, 6-0. He will be facing Paul Coderos in the next round.

Tyler Labrador also marched to the round of 16 in the unisex 10-under after Chad Cuizon missed their match due to fever. Labrado didn’t get lucky in the boys 12 after being defeated by John David Velez, 1-6, 0-6.

Joining Velez in the next round are Mitch Largo, Cesar Kristofer Salimbangon, Joseph Geverola, Ethan Quino, John Anonat and Brent Cortes.

Largo blasted John Lataza, 6-1, 6-2, Salimbangon dumped Mark Tapic, 6-0, 6-1, while Geverola survived a 6-4, 2-3, 10-7 win over Iam Lim.  Quino won against Josh Largo,6-1, 6-3 as Anonat triumphed over James Silmaro, 6-2, 6-0. Cortes overpowered Eric Longakit, 6-3, 6-0.

Salimbangon also won his first assignment in the under-14 at the expense of Jag Garcia, 6-1, 6-3.

The girls 14 quarterfinals cast is almost complete with Ellaine Bahunsua winning against Wayne Albarracin, 6-1,6-0 as Nicole Villar posted a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Mary Dantes.

Lyrah Repollo slammed Regina Igoy, 6-0, 6-3, Tiffany Nocos survived a tough match against Hannah Tapic, 6-4, 5-7, 10-8 while Shedel Gica got an easy 6-0, 6-0 beating of Phel Hazel Coderos. (FREEMAN)