CEBU, Philippines - Sally Mae Siso and Hannah Espinosa will face each other earlier than expected as they clash in the girls 18-under semifinals of the 17th Gullas Cup tennis tournament at the Cebu International Tennis Centre, Inc. (CITCI) courts in Laray, Consolacion.
Siso matched into the penultimate round after silencing Katrina Faye Uy, 6-0, 6-0, while Espinosa advanced with a 6-1, 6-0 demolition of Glory Faith Bohol.
The other semis duel pits Crissiane Issa Kintanar versus Mary Claire Lazaga. Kintanar dismissed Dawn Albert Uy, 6-1, 6-3, while Lazaga dumped Maria Dominique Ong, 7-5, 6-1.
In the girls 14 category, Jana Pages sets up a semis date with Emaville Gervacio, while Mai-mai Bornia takes on Carmiville Gervacio.
Pages handily beat Zethley Mae Alferez, 6-2, 6-2, while Bornia went through some scary moments before fending off Shyne Villareal, 6-4, 7-6.
The Gervacio sisters also emerged victorious, with Emaville trouncing Farah Ardiente, 6-1, 6-0 and Carmiville crushing Kara Salimbangon, 6-2, 6-0.
Carmiville also booked a semifinal ticket in the girls 12 at the expense of Edhel Parangan, 6-3, 6-2. She will face next Alferez, who posted a 6-2, 6-1 victory against Tricia Francisco.
Salimbangon may not be lucky in the girls 14, but she made it to the next round of the girls 12 as well as Maria Delrose Duran. Salimbangon clobbered Denise Largo 6-0, 6-0, while Duran whipped Nerkisslyn Ubay-ubay, 6-2, 6-2.
Kara’s brother Cesar Kristopher also rolled into the semis after posting a 6-2, 6-0 win against Dwayne Lequigan in the unisex 10-under.
The younger Salimbangon will tackle next Anthony Manas, who defeated Jaira Camay, 6-4, 6-4.
The other unisex 10-under match feature Jesha Mae Cervantes against Nonito John Pepito. Cervantes booted out Orlando Patrick Garcia, 6-3, 6-3, while Pepito ousted Eric Louise Longakit, 6-0, 6-0.
In the boys 14, Harvey Gilbuena and Francis Gener Lambayan motored into the final four after edging out Clyde Dujali, 6-4, 6-0 and Rene Yan, 6-3, 6-3, respectively. (FREEMAN)