Cruz trips Sioson, gains Philta finals

MANILA, Philippines - Monica Therese Cruz steeled herself up in the decider and carved out a 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 decision over top seed Chrislyn Sioson to barge into the finals of the second PSC/Philta age group tennis championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center late Thursday.

The third-ranked Cruz rebounded from a dismal second set showing with a gritty stand in the third, pulling off the crucial win for a crack at the girls’ Under-12 crown against second seed Frances Santiago, who defused No. 4 Rafaela Villanueva, 6-0, 6-2.

Meanwhile, rains washed out yesterday’s quarterfinal matches in boys’ U-16, semifinal matches in girls’ and boys’ U-14 and boys’ U-18, and final matches in unisex 10-under, boys’ U-12, girls’ U-12, U-16 and U-18 classes.

All games will be played starting at 8 a.m. today.

The 11-year-old Cruz also sprang a surprise in U-14, edging second seed Ma. Dominique Ong, 6-2, 1-6, 7-5, to barge into the semis against No. 4 Ingrid Mariz Gonzales, who whipped Chloe Mae Saraza, 6-1, 6-3.

The other semis pairing pits top seed Erika Manduriao, who beat Charito Capadocia, 6-1, 6-3, against Nicole Amistad, who saw off Santiago, 6-1, 6-2, in the tournament sponsored by Philippine Sports Commission which also stakes ranking points among the country’s leading junior campaigners.

In other results, second seed Ma. Angela Sunga whisked off Jade Charito Capadocia, 6-1, 6-3, to set up a title duel with No. 3 Roxanne Resma in the girls’ U-16. Resma advanced with a walkover win over top seed Marian Capadocia.

Marian Capadocia and Sunga will dispute the U-18 diadem while Marcus del Rosario and Arthur Pantino sealed a title showdown in the boys’ U-12 division.

Del Rosario also guns for the unisex 10-under plum against top seed Mico Eala while No, 1 Dheo Talatayod and Kyle Parpan battle for the first finals berth in the boys’ U-18 class.

Second seed Betto Orendain will dispute the other finals seat in the premier category against the winner of Eric Olivarez Jr.-Calvin Canlas quarterfinal clash.