Tabura punches semis ticket

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu's young tennis prospect Aaron Kevin Tabura scored a dominating victory at the expense of Aaron Galo to advance into the unisex 10-under semifinals of the 23rd JRG Gullas Tennis Cup yesterday at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club in Barangay Pardo, Cebu City.

Tabura blasted Galo in straight sets, 4-1, 4-0.

Like Tabura, Cagayan De Oro City's Chauncy Aguanta also clinched the semis berth after handing Francis Nigel De Juan the axe, 4-2, 4-0.

Manila’s Gavin Kraut, Jamelle Alon, Juvel Velos and Shara Paliwag hope to also make it to the semis after winning their respective matches in the second round.

Aside from the unisex 10-under, Tabura will also vie for the semis spot in the boys 12 after winning over Devin Yap, 10-1.

Tabura’s cousins in Gio John Manito and Clarence suffered contrasting fates in boys 12 with Manito making it to the next round after upending Ruppert Gambal, 10-4, but Clarence was unlucky after falling at the hands of Manila-based Akuretigayama, 9-10.

Completing the quarterfinals cast of the boys 12 are Heinz Carbonilla, Douglas Maravillas, Sean Esick, Chad Connor Cuizon and Gerald Gemida.

Meanwhile, Eric Longakit became the first one to make it to the boys 14 quarters after an easy victory over Micos Cadelasa.

Two other Cebu bets in Vinz Lominoque and Venz Alforque barged into the boys 16 quarters after Lominoque dispatched Nico Gambal, 10-4, as Alforque ousted Nicolas Katigbak, 10-2.

Other quarterfinalists in the boys 16 are Kharl Yamut, James Abad, Fernando Po, Guillian Bandoquillo, Nash Agustines and Cedrix Bravo.

Top-seeded Corazon Lambonao and Mila Gemida, for their part, made it to the girls 14 quarters.

Lapu-Lapu City’s Tiffacy Nocos and Nicole Dela Rita of Danao also get a chance of a semis berth after beating Donabelle Roma, 10-0, and Shedel Gica, 10-7, respectively.

Completing the quarterfinals cast in the girls 16 are Elaine Rose Bahonsua, Rica Guidelosao,Julliana Maravillas, Bliss Bayking and Lyrra Repollo. (FREEMAN)