Canizares, Olivarez reach semis

MANILA, Philippines - No. 6 Argil Lance Canizares and ninth seed Eric Olivarez claimed semifinals slot after beating their separate quarterfinal rivals Thursday in the Manila leg of 14th Smart Presents the HEAD 2012 junior National Tennis Age-Group Satellite Circuit at the Meralco Tennis Courts.

Canizares bucked a sluggish start to outplay Arjohn Dela Cruz in the boys’ 18-under singles class, 7-6 (5), 6-2, to set up a semifinal showdown against No. 2 Dheo Talatayod in the tournament supported by Smart Communications, Chris Sports, HEAD, Meralco, Maynilad and Toalson.

“I’m expecting a good fight against Dheo,” said HEAD elite player Canizares, 15, who displayed barrage of backhand volleys in the second set to rip Dela Cruz. “I took off the monkey on my back when I got my rhythm in the second set.”

Talatayod outlasted Emer Cariga, 6-1, 6-4, to enter the boys’ 18-under semifinals of the 64-day tournament supported by Smart Communication executive Noel Lorenzana.

Olivarez overcame a lethargic start to rally past Hakeem Cariga, 1-6, 6-2, 10-8, to meet Daniel Villasenor in the semifinals. Villasenor also took a hard-earned 6-7 (3), 7-6 (7), 13-11 win against third seed Joel Cabusas in quarterfinals.

In other boys’ 18-under results, Claudio Canlas ripped Marc Agner, 6-3, 5-7, 10-5, to meet Andrew Joshua Cano in the semifinals.

Cano defeated Kyle Joseph, 6-2, 6-4, in the quarterfinals.    

Davao’s Juan Paolo Cansino outlasted Ivan Moses Gonzales, 6-4, 6-1, to forge a semifinal showdown against Allian Abdulqoahar, who whipped Vernon Huibonhoa, 6-2, 3-0 (retire) in the quarterfinals.

In the girls’ 18-under class, reigning champion and No. 1 Samantha Mae Coyuito advanced in the second round with a 6-3, 6-1 bashing of Genevievive Caorte earlier.

In the boys’ 14-under class, No. 2 Cenon Gonzales blanked Allan Ordinario, 6-8, 6-2, 10-6, to face Chris Justine Prulla in the semifinals. Prulla whacked Elijah Arevalo, 4-6, 6-3, 10-5, in the quarterfinals.