Cebuana netters rout Team Elorde in Philta Open

AUSTRALIAN Juniors Open doubles champion, Francis Casey Alcantara, powered Team Cebuana to an easy, 7-0 rout of Team Elorde yesterday at the start of the Inter-club tournament of the Olivarez-Philta Open Tennis Championships presented by Palawan Pawnshop Express Pera Padala at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat.

Alcantara, priming up for the main event next week, teamed up with Randy Villanueva to post an 8-6 victory over Fritz Verdad and Mickey Madrio in the Open category of the Group A inter-club event. Luz Maestrado and Shirley Valler hacked out a similar 8-6 win over Bambi Huab and Hiromi Shimoda in the Ladies A side while Michaelle Mendoza and Louella Limjuco also came up with an 8-6 victory over Maricar Latriz and Ester Dino in Ladies B.

Also winning for Team Cebuana were Juanito Tan and Beoyong Woo Park, who held off Angel Bautista and Tom Falcis, 8-5, in the 60s division; Jun Frias and Russell Arcilla, who routed Rene Penan and Danny Tinitigan, 8-2, in 50s; Manuel Suarez and Gilbert Estrada, who defeated Dennis Castro and Arnold Reyes, 8-5, in 40s; and Dustin Detorres and Jackie Tomacruz, who subdued Eric Luna and Donny Nuguit, 8-4, in 30s.

Vying in Group B are Team Olivarez, Aguinaldo Tennis Club, College CC and Lucena City TC.

Meanwhile, Roxanne Resma held off Isabella Orteza, 6-0, 2-6, 10-6, to earn a semifinal duel with top seed Samantha Coyiuto, who outclassed Macy Gonzales, 6-2, 6-2, in the girls’ 18-and-under class.

Ma. Angela Sunga scored a walkover win over second seed Rachelle de Guzman and will take on Katrina Orteza, who beat Maia Balce, 6-1, 6-0, for the other finals berth in the premier girls’ category.  /Correspondent Jonas Panerio