MANILA, Philippines - Second seed Stefan Suarez survived the rash of upsets that befell the other fancied bets, trouncing No. 4 Ryle Singson, 6-1, 6-0, to reach the finals of the premier boys’ section in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age-group 2014 presented by Technifibre in Bacolod City last Sunday.
Suarez, who also eased out Kevin Villa and Prince Clelo in straight sets to roll into the semis, dominated Singson with his powerful groundstrokes and crosscourt winners to fuel his title bid in the 18-and-Under class of the event held in conjunction with the city’s celebration of the Masskara Festival and sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop with Technifibre as the official ball.
Kurt Angelo Molina, who shocked top seed Fernando Arguelles, 4-2, 4-1, in the quarters, and unranked Bryan Bayking, who upended No. 5 Adrian Javier, 4-2, 4-2, were disputing the other finals berth at presstime.
Justin Suarez, also seeded No. 2 in the 16-and-U class, held off Reyniel Marcellana, 5-4(4), 4-2, in the quarters then overpowered No. 3 Karl Baran, 6-2, 6-1, in the semis to advance to the finals against the winner of the Arguelles-Singson duel at the Monta and Manville Tennis Court.
In girls’ play, top seed Toni Rose Raymundo heads the quarters cast in the 18-and-U division along with No. 2 Valerie Desoyo, No. 3 Rushlyn Clelo, No. 4 Marie Abejo, Gwencel Benignos, Judelee Juntarciego and Grace Prietos.
Raymundo also bundled out Vivian Flores to lead the quarterfinalists in the 16-and-U category of the event which drew a record field of 250 players. Also in the Last 8 are Tracy Llamas, Jewel Milliam, Desoyo, Clelo, Apple Dayanan and Kim Galanza.
No. 1 Kiana de Asis and No. 8 Erika Sevilla beat their respective rivals to set up a quarters duel in the girls’ 14-and-U class while De Asis also got past Alkiara Arisco, 6-1, 6-3, to lead the quarters cast in the 12-and-U category that includes Shyryn Salazar, Andrea Suace, Bliss Bayking, Jaira Juanitas, Bem Wayco and Galanza.
In other results, Eldyzar Alvarico subdued Reynan Mahusay, 4-1, 2-4, 10-6, while Caesar Po thwarted Lorenzo Suarez, 2-4, 4-1, 10-4, to barge into the semis of the boys’ 14-and-U category. Kerwin de Asis upset No. 7 Khenz Justiniani, 4-1, 4-2, to advance in the boys’ 12-and-U division against No. 4 Rewel Justiniani, who thumped Miguel Pila, 4-0, 4-1.