Coopersmith triumphs

MANILA, Philippines - Second seed Nicole Coopersmith outplayed Andrea Amistad, 6-4, 6-0, to capture the girls 12-under crown even as top-ranked Tamitha Nguyen and unfancied Krizelle Sampaton set up a title duel in the 16-under class of the Okada-Juntaphil Cup at the Manila Polo Club yesterday.

Coopersmith rode on her one-sided 6-0, 6-0 romp over Chloe Mae Saraza, 6-0, 6-0, in the semis to rule her division although she had to go through some anxious moments in the first set before completing the straight-set win over Amistad, who upset No. 3 Ingrid Gonzales, 6-4, 6-0, in the semis.

Nguyen, meanwhile, downed No. 3 Monika Banez, 6-0, 6-1, while Sampaton shocked second seed Anne Castillo, 7-6(2), 6-3, to arrange the title showdown in the 16-under category of the Group 3 tournament presented by Okada Resorts and First Gen Corp. and sponsored by Smart Communications.

Nguyen, winner of the 18-under crown in last week’s First Gen Championship, also reached the finals of the 18-under division, beating Nicole Eugenio, 6-4, 6-1.

She will face second seed Jasmine Tan Ho, who scored a walkover win over fourth ranked Maika Tanpoco in the other semifinal match.

Top seed Alberto Villamor battled back from a set down to foil No. 4 Romeo Dimakiling, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, and set up a championship showdown with unfancied Joshua Miranda for the boys 18-under crown of the weeklong event organized by Juntaphil and backed by Pet One, RCBC and Sole Footbeds.