Teng, Balce reach First Gen quarterfinals

MANILA, Philippines - Top ranked Marraphael Teng continued to dish out fine form and picked up his second straight-set win, blanking Marielle So, 6-0, 6-0, to advance to the quarterfinal round of the 10-unisex class in the First Gen Juntaphil Metro Age Group Tennis Championships yesterday.

Teng, who earlier booted out Zirack Mina, 6-1, 6-3, frolicked against So at the Olivarez Tennis Center’s hard court, essaying the easy win for a quarterfinal clash with Manuel Balce III.

The seventh seeded Balce also put together a pair of impressive wins, beating Mariano Hipolito, 6-1, 6-2, before thumping Rafa Villanueva, 6-4, 6-1.

Others who advanced to the quarters in the Group I tournament presented by First Gen Corporation and sponsored by Smart Communications were No. 3 Angelo Saraza, who disposed of Marcus del Rosario, 6-3, 4-1 (Ret.), and Benjamin Martin, who upset No. 8 Lance Jumawan, 6-1, 7-5.

No. 6 Argil Canizares came away with two victories in the day to lead the quarterfinalists in the boys’ 14-under class. He drubbed Mimo Tomacruz, 6-1, 6-0, in the second round then held off Tim Becker, 6-2, 7-5.

Joining him in the last 8 is third seed Christian San Andres, who whitewashed Eduardo Lopez, 6-0, 6-0, before dominating Arkane Cordova, 6-2, 6-2.

Meanwhile, top seed Kim Ivor Saraza overwhelmed Michael Teng, 6-0, 6-0, to cruise to the Last 16 in the 18-under boys’ division of the week-long event organized by Juntaphil and backed by Pet One, RCBC, Sole Footbeds and Pepsi.

Also gaining in the premier boys division are Bernard San Juan, who defeated Jericho Tenorio, 6-0, 6-2, and Mendrado Soriano, who scored a walkover win over Rey-an Reyes.