MANILA, Philippines - David Vorbeck stunned fifth seed Romnee Joseph with a 6-4, 6-3 victory to advance to the second round of the boys’ 16-and-under division of the Philippine Sports Commission Metro Age Group Championships at the Rizal Tennis Center yesterday.
The lightning-quick Vorbeck thus forged an duel with Tim Becker, who advanced after a no-show by Frednel Sanduco in this Group I tournament put up by the PSC chaired by Richie Garcia.
Becker actually displayed his form in the boys’ 14-and-under section with an emphatic 6-1, 6-0 win over Muhamad Amerol to set him up for a second round duel with top pick Argil Canizares, who drew a first round bye.
Also winning in the boys’ 14-under class was Lloyd Alvarez, who trounced Nicolo Hernandez, 6-4, 6-3.
Vincent Anida and Chris Prulla, meanwhile, blanked their respective rivals to barge into the next round of the boys’ 12-under division. Anida dominated Dario Sujica, 6-0, 6-0, while Prulla pummeled Enrico Ong, 6-0, 6-0.
John Angelo Cerezo disposed of Danielle Abadia, 7-5, 6-2, to likewise move in the boys’ 12-under second round, while Blanche Lagrisola trounced Hiromasa Ishikawa, 6-3, 6-2, in the 10-unisex category.
Competitions in the girls’ division are being played at press time with top four netters Anne Castillo, Samantha Coyiuto, Akiko De Guzman and Nikki Arandia earning opening-round byes in the premier girls’ 18-under class of the event featuring the country’s leading and rising junior netters.