Pradel, Lambayan march into semis in JRG netfest

CEBU, Philippines - Marc Pradel of the University of the Visayas-Pardo Campus needed an hour and 20 minutes before getting rid of the equally-tough Vhon Tudtud in a three-set thriller to advance into the boys 18 semifinals of the 22nd JRG Gullas Tennis Cup yesterday at the covered courts of Naga City.

Pradel had an ice-cold start that resulted into a disappointing 1-6 loss in the first set. He, however, gained grounds in the second set but he still had to pass through some scary moments before eking a 7-5 win to forge a super tiebreak. He then showed nerves of steel in edging Tudtud via the slimmest of margins, 7-6.

While Pradel struggled to keep his championship abid alive, Francis Lambayan of the University of San Carlos had little trouble in a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Francis Navales in the other boys 18 quarterfinal match.

On the other hand, Vince Lominoque and Vence Alforque, both of UV, are the first two semifinalists in the boys 16 division.

Lominoque clobbered Jake Dakay, 6-3, 6-2, while Alforque sent out Bantayan Island’s Lemuel Garbosa, 6-0, 6-1.

Over at the CitiGreen Tennis Resort in Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City, Australian national Ash McKenzie and Julliana Maravillas powered their way to the Final Four.

McKenzie pulled off a convincing 6-1, 6-1 victory against Shedel Gica in the girls 14 play, while Maravillas silenced Hazel Batucan, 6-1, 6-1 in the girls 12 category.

Nicholas Ocat, an out-of-towner, and Cebuano Chad Connor Cuizon completed the quarterfinal cast in the boys 14 and 12, respectively. Ocat beat James Paul Silmaro, 6-1, 6-1 while Cuizon hacked out a 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Miecoz Candellasa.

All the semifinal and final matches will take place in Naga today. (FREEMAN)