One-armed wonder in Final 8 of Gullas Cup
Pantino advances in 2 divisions
Mark Romero of Bais City blasts a double-handed backhand to Cebuano Derek Tabo-Tabo during their 16-Under match in the 19th JRG Gullas Cup at the Citi Green Tennis Resort. Romero won, 6-3, 1-6 11-9. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Cebu’s one-handed netter John Paul Belikaol moved into the quarterfinal round of the Boys 14-Under division after blasting Biliran’s Patt Mejie, 6-2, 6-4 yesterday in the 19th JRG Gullas Cup at the Citigreen Tennis Resort in Labangon.
Belikaol, a grade 8 student of Argao National High School will next face topseed Janus Ringia of Koronadal, South Cotabato who crushed Venz Alforque, 6-0, 6-2.
Belikaol, who was born without a right arm, is making a sensational run in the region’s biggest and longest-running junior tennis tournament by blasting his first two opponents in straight sets.
Joining them in the quarters are Heart Sotto, a 7-5, 6-0 winner over Gabriel Andre Trazo; Francis Hidalgo, who ousted Lorenz Celis, 6-1, 6-0; Bernie Buanghug, who won by default over Kurt Molina and Marc Suson, who dumped Earl Maxilom, 6-1, 6-1.
PANTINO CRUISES
Arthur Craig Pantino also advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Boys 16-Under with an easy win over Jwel Grospe. The country’s top-ranked player in the 14-U group will gun for a semis seat against Dharyl Alcordo who drubbed Cesar Laborte, 6-1, 6-3.
Marc Pradel, who upset topseeded JR Arguelles of Bacolod City in the Round of 32, also marched to the Last 8 with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Earl Abellanosa. He will face the winner of the Francis Gener Lambayan-Jermaine Laurel matchup.
The other Boys 16-U quarterfinalists are Mark Dennis Ramero, John Clyde Laquio, Christopher Encarnacion and the winner of the Janus Ringia-Catteo Jayme match.
JR Arguelles, the 18-U topseed atoned for his shock loss in the 16-U class by claiming the first semifinals seat in the premier division with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Peter Cantillas. He will face Christopher Encarnacion after the latter defeated Mike Bienes, 6-3, 6-2.
Pantino also secured a semifinals seat after beating Norman Joseph Enriquez, 7-5, 6-3. He will play Clyde Bienes in the Last 4 after the latter ousted Micheal Cari, 6-0, 7-6.
GIRLS WINNERS
Second seed Shyne Villareal and third seed Zethley Mae Alferez of Bright Academy barged into the quarterfinal round of the Girls 16-Under after besting separate foes.
The topseeded Nikki Ong likewise entered the quarters after drawing a bye in the earlier rounds.
The multi-titled Alferez crushed Ashley Zamora 6-1, 6-1, to arrange a Final 8 battle against Angela Cabaral, a 6-1, 6-2 winner over Kaye Alota.
Kristin Renee Salimbangon also entered the Round of 8 after thrashing Ma. Sheena Camporedondo, 6-3, 6-3. She will next face Lorraine Barola.
Elizabeth Abarquez, for her part, arranged a difficult quarterfinals battle vs Villareal following her, 6-0, 6-3 win over Cherry Mae Toledo.
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Top-seed Pantino, one-armed netter win in 19th Gullas Cup
Gullas Cup off to rousing start in two venues
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