Lim, Celestino clash for crown

Top seed Arithmetico Lim of Chiang Kai Shek and second seed Nestor Celestino Jr. scored contrasting wins yesterday to reach the boys’ 16-under finals in the 14th Andrada Cup age-group tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Lim scored a 6-3, 6-4 victory over fourth seed Raymond Villarete of La Salle-Greenhills while Celestino rallied past third seed Ed Angelo Diez of the University of Mindanao, 6-1, 2-6, 6-3.

In the girls’ 16-under division, top-ranked Bien Zoleta of Mary Hills-Lucena City outclassed third seed Catherine Flores, 6-1, 6-3, to advance in the finals against second seed Ivy de Castro of Miriam, a 6-4, 6-2 winner over Ara Micayabas.

Bien’s younger sister Bambi, meanwhile, entered the 14-under finals following a 6-3, 6-2 victory over third seed Jessica Agra of Colegio de San Agustin. Bambi will meet second seed Julie Em Botor, who won over Nikki Manalo, 0-6, 7-6 (4), 4-2 (ret.).

Top seed Sarah Jane Lim survived Joan Therese Opulencia, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, and unseeded Jia Marell Elesis defeated Victoria Magaway, 6-3, 6-4, to advance in the girls’ 12-under finals of this event sponsored by Thaddeus Sporting Goods and Wilson balls.

In the boys’ 14-under division, third seed Russell Arcilla Jr. of Letran stunned No. 1 Christian Canlas of Ateneo, 6-3, 7-6 (4), to advance in the finals.

In the unisex 10-under class, unranked Alberto Villamor upset top seed Noel Agra, 6-3, 6-2, to advance in the finals against second seed Pocholo Macalino, who struggled past Jacob Lagman, 6-1, 6-7 (9), 6-1.

In the boys’ 12-under category, top seed Gerard Michael Ngo of Lourdes School defeated fifth seed Edwin Olivarez Jr., 6-1, 6-4, to forge a semifinal showdown with third seed Patrick Arevalo, a 6-1, 6-1 winner over sixth seed Raymarc Santiago.

Also advancing were second seed Joshua Tan Ho of Xavier, who beat No. 8 Joseph Baldonado, 6-1, 6-1, and fourth seed Mark Balce of Ateneo, who conquered Juan Gabriel Pena, 6-3, 6-2.