Shyne Villareal prepares to return a shot in her 18-Under Girls division game in the BMEG Junior Tennis Cup at the CITIGreen Tennis Resort in Punta Princesa. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
CEBUANA netter Shyne Villareal survived a mid-game collapse to hack out an 8-5 triumph against Precious Coderos and advance into the semifinal round of the premier 18-Under Girls division of the BMEG Junior Tennis Cup yesterday at the CITIGreen Tennis Resort in Punta Princesa, Cebu City.
Villareal, from Naga City, south Cebu, caught fire early and raced to a 3-0 advantage but allowed Coderos to knot the game at 3-all midway through the game.
But the University of San Carlos (USC) ace Villareal got her groove back just in the nick of time, as she ignited a 5-2 run to score the win.
With the victory, Villareal is set to go up against the winner of the Elizabeth Abarquez-Kristin Salimbangon duel, which is being played as of press time.
Not to be outdone, Mitch Largo secured a semifinal berth in the 10-Unisex division courtesy of a 4-1, 4-0 victory against Roman Guangko to set up a showdown against Heinz Carbonilla, who blanked Elaquim Dela Rosa, 4-0, 4-0.
Aaron Kevin Tabura also survived a three-set thriller against Gio Manito, 4-5, 4-2, 4-1, in the same division.
In boys play, Cebuano Marc Nicole Suson disposed Adriane Kinaadman, 8-2, to advance into the 16-Under Boys semifinals. He is set to take on Richard Bautista, who defeated Cebu bet Venz Alforque, 8-3, in the quarterfinals.
As of press time, Suson is taking on fellow Cebuano John Clyde Largo in the 18-Under division in the hopes of booking his second semifinal ticket in the tournament.