Longtime rivals John Clyde Patterson and Rucel Cero forged an all-Cebuano final in the premier boys’ 18-under category of the 22nd JRG Gullas Cup after chalking up separate semifinal victories on a rainy Tuesday afternoon at the Naga City Tennis Club court.
The 17-year-old Patterson ended the fairy tale run of the unranked Francis Lambayan, 6-2, 6-4, while Cero continued his marvelous run by shocking top-seed Marc Pradel, 6-2, 6-4.
Patterson said he and Cero have played against each other for a long time now, which means both are familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
With this, the final game is expected to be a close one.
“Rucel and I have been playing against each other since we were in the 14-under category,” Patterson said. “I will try my best to win my game tomorrow (today).”
Meanwhile, after losing to Cero in the 18-under boys quarterfinals, Naga City’s Venz Alforque vented his frustrations on Jayford Canono for a 6-2, 6-0 victory in the boys’ 16-under category.
The victory pushed him into the final round, where he will go up against Vinz Lominoque.
Gabriel Trazo and Eric Longakit will face each other in the boys’ 14-under finals. Trazo defeated Ashton Villanueva, 4-6, 6-0, 10-4, while Longakit downed Josh Largo, 6-4, 6-3.
At the Citigreen Tennis Resort, University of San Carlos ace Shyne Villareal bagged the first finals ticket in the girls’ 18-under category after a 6-2, 6-0 win over Kristin Salimbangon while Douglas Maravillas zoomed into the boys’ finals after a 5-3, 4-0 spanking of Aaron Tabura.