17TH Gullas Cup netfest Salimbangons earn final slots

CEBU, Philippines - After losing its opening assignment, ERCO FC bounced back with aplomb, winning its next three games to top bracket A in men's open division of the 12th CAFC Cebu Inter-Football Cup yesterday at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center field in Brgy. Talamban, this city.

Cesar Kristofer easily dismantled Anthony Manas, 6-1, 6-0 to set up a title showdown with Nonito John Pepito in the unisex 10-under category, while Kara breezed through the girls 12-under final after booting out Maria Delrose Duran, 6-0, 6-4. Pepito advanced with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Jesha Mae Cervantes.

Kara will face next Zethley Mae Alferez, who also progressed after closing out Carmivelle Gervacio, 6-3,6-2.

The decorated Sally Mae Siso, on the other hand, booked a championship date with Crissianne Issa Kintanar in the girls 18-under class. Siso reaffirmed her mastery over Hannah Grace Espinosa, 6-2,6-1 while Kintanar dismissed Mary Clare Lazaga, 6-4, 6-2.

Kintanar also made it to the girls 16-under final after she whipped Shyne Villareal, 6-0, 6-2. Up next for her is Imaville Gervacio, who terminated Mai-mai Bornia, 6-2, 6-1.

Like Kintanar, Gervacio got two final tickets, the second in the girls 14-under after she outsmarted Jana Pages, one of the early favorites, via a hard-earned 6-2, 7-5 decision.

In the boys division, Francis Hidalgo wiped out Jace Unto, 6-1, 6-3 to arrange a titular duel with Francis Lambayan, who stayed in gold medal hunt after dispatching Marc Suson, 6-2, 6-4.

Lambayan, however, missed a double final appearance after bowing to John Clyde Laquio, 6-1, 6-3 in boys 14 semifinal.

Laquio will tackle Christopher Encarnacion, who dispatched Leyte’s Harvey Gilbuena, 6-4, 6-3.

The boys 16-under final showdown pits Jarryd Laurel against Dave Mosqueda, while Fritz Satera and Angelo Esguerra will slug it out for the boys 18-under crown.

Laurel posted a 6-4, 6-1 triumph over Jose Francis Suazo, Satera survived a tough match against Dave Mosqueda, 5-7,6-3, 10-1, while Esguerra silenced Francis Edelbert Alcantara, 6-0, 6-2.

Mosqueda though secured a final berth in the boys 16 class after he prevailed over Alcantara, 7-5, 6-2. (FREEMAN)