Horie rolls but 2 Phl bets fall

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Toru Horie of Japan overpowered Charles Roberts of Thailand, 6-3, 6-0, to lead the quarterfinal cast in the boys’ section of the rain-marred Phinma-PSC International Juniors Tennis Championships – Week 2 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

Morning matches were pushed back due to rains, including those of top Filipino bets Eric Olivarez Jr. and girls’ No. 1 seed Khim Iglupas, but two local bets succumbed to strong foreign opposition and bowed out of the contention in the Grade 4 ITF (International Tennis Federation) 18-Under category event sponsored by the Phinma Group of Companies, Philippine Sports Commission and Mariposa Foundation.

John Otico, who swept Korean Yohwan Choi in the first round, took a 6-4, 6-3 beating from India’s Udayan Bhakar, while Marcen Gonzales, who upset No. 6 Omar Ahmed of Saudi Arabia in three, struggled against Japanese Rio Noguchi and lost, 6-2, 6-0.

Others who advanced to the quarters of the last of two legs of the annual tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association and backed by Asiatraders Corp for the Dunlop balls. were Ammar Alhogbani of the US, who repulsed Pakistan’s Ali Mooraj, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1; and Thai Phongsapak Kerdlaphee, who eased out Alester Magalit of Hong Kong, 6-4, 6-4.

While first leg champion Iglupas, 16, is tipped to get past Asumi Kanazawa, compatriots Monica Therese Cruz, Maia Balce and Frances Santiago are expected to have their hands full against Alvina Lai of Hong Kong, qualifier Thasaporn Naklo of Thailand, and Yuelin Chen of Taiwan in their pursuit of spots in the Last 8.