It was the locals’ turn to shine as more than a handful of them advanced to the next round of their respective divisions in the 14th Tru-Flex National Age Group yesterday in four venues in Lapu-Lapu City.
Pardo’s Marc Norman Enriquez barged into the quarterfinals of the 18-Under boys after surviving a second-set scare against Francis John Rey Quino, 6-0, 7-6.
He will next face Dave Sebastian Mosqueda of Cagayan de Oro, who dismissed Hong Kong’s Ka Yau Leung, 6-0, 6-0.
In the 16-Under boys, Jermaine Carl Chi Laurel arranged a quarterfinals date with Mosqueda after outsmarting Karl Christian Baran, 6-2, 6-2. Mosqueda got a quarterfinal seat by thrashing Fabien Callaud, 6-4, 6-3.
In the 14-Under boys, Cebu’s fast-rising netter, Jan Godfrey Seno moved on to the third round with a 6-1, 6-0 demolition of fellow Cebuano John Clyde Laquio.
But Seno might not be able to finish the tournament as he is set to leave for Malaysia this Friday as part of the Philippine team 14-Under that will see action in the ITF World Juniors.
Seno will be facing Mark Edrean Abangan, who advanced to the third round with no sweat after his opponent defaulted in teir match.
Joining Seno in the third round is another Cebuano in Gener Francis Lambayan, who bested Baran, 3-6, 6-3, 10-6. He will be facing Harvey Guilbuena, who got past Marc Pradel.
In the 12-Under boys, Cesar Kristofer Salimbangon did not have to endure the heat of the sun as he went through to the second round after his opponent withdrew from their match.
Another Cebuano who advanced without having to lift a racquet was Jana Pages in the 16-Under girls. Pages faces fellow Cebuano Zethley Mae Alferez in the second round.
In the 14-Under girls, Kristin Renee Salimbangon bagged a quarterfinals entry with a 6-3, 6-4 outwitting of Pink Lloyd Manabat. She will next face fellow Cebuano Alferez for a chance at a semifinals ticket. Alferez advanced via default.
Another Cebuano Gabriel Andre Trazo clinched a semifinals ticket in the 10-Under unisex with a 6-0, 6-2 annihilation of Rupert Ohrelle Tortal.
Games in the 10-under unisex, 12-under boys and girls were played at the Lapu-Lapu tennis court. The 14-Under boys and 16-under boys games were played at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Airbase tennis court. The Haruhay Dream resort hosted the 16-under girls and 18-under girls games. Matches in the 14-under girls and 18-under boys were played at the Amores tennis court in barangay Gun-ob.
Last night, participants were treated to a welcome dinner at Bayswater in barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City.