Cebuano Kinaadman racked up two victories yesterday including a giant upset over a seeded player to lead the cast of semifinalists in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Regional Age Group Mactan leg at the Mactan Island Tennis Club, Lapu-Lapu City.
Kinaadman, the younger sibling of Joshua Kinaadman who helped the University of the East (UE) to a third-place finish in the UAAP, made the quarterfinals early yesterday by upsetting Boys 14-Under No. 2 seed Sebastien Lhuillier of Manila, 6-4, 6-4.
In the afternoon, the unseeded Kinaadman trounced fellow qualifier James Abad in the quarterfinals, 6-0, 6-3, to secure the first semis slot in the 14-Under division.
The 16-Under was also rocked by a big upset courtesy of Dale Estonillo, who came back from an opening-set loss to beat 2nd-seeded Francis Navales, 5-7, 6-3, 10-1. He then won via default over Nero Enriquez to march to the semifinals of the 16-under.
The division’s top seed, Jan Godfrey Seno, is still awaiting the result of the Jayford Grono vs. Neil Limpangog match to determine his quarterfinal foe.
In the premier Boys 18-U, the quarterfinal pairings pit Seno vs. Francis Hidalgo, Vhon Tudtud vs. Marc Pradel, Norman Joseph Enriquez vs. Ken Froilan and Francis Bavales vs. Manila’s Stefan Lhuillier.
Barging into the semifinal round in the Boys 12-Under are Nash Agustinez, who defeated Nicolas Alian Ocat, 6-1, 6-1; and No.2 seed Khenz Justiniani, who eliminated Leanray Albofera, 6-2, 6-0.
The Final Four in the girls 16-Under are topseed Tracy Llamas, who will face Bea Antonette dela Pena and Precious Coderos vs. Queene Tunacao.
Llamas of La Carlota City secured a semifinals berth in the lower Girls’ 14-U following her 6-3, 7-5 win over Lyra Repollo. No. 2 seed Aubrey Calma, for her part, became the first semifinalist in the Girls U-18 after blanking Aubrey Calma, 6-0, 6-0.
Close to 150 players are vying in the Group 2 tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association headed by president and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez.
“This is the turn of the young players from Mactan and nearby provinces to showcase their skills and gain ranking points,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro. “Though the NCR bets remain the favorites, we expect surprises from the local talents in all divisions.”
Meanwhile, the 9th leg of the 38-stage circuit will be held from March 13-17 at the Consolacion Tennis Club. Registration is ongoing and will end on March 9.