Cruz stuns Amistad in PSC-Philta opener

MANILA, Philippines - Unseeded Monika Therese Cruz surprised No. 3 Nicole Amistad and came away with a 6-4, 6-1 victory to clinch a quarterfinal berth in the girls’ 16-and-under class Philippine Sports Commission-Philippine Tennis Association Age-Group Tennis Championships which got under way yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Cruz broke Amistad once in the opener then sustained her form and dominated her rival in the next to complete the straight-set victory and arrange a Last 8 duel with Ma. Dominique Ong, who subdued Samantha Vilar, 6-0, 6-2.

No. 4 Kim Iglupas scored a walkover win over Samantha Um to join Cruz and Ong in the quarters of the event sponsored by PSC and Philta with Dunlop Fort as the official ball.

Jacob Martin and Mico Eala hurdled their first round opponents with relative ease to likewise join the seeded bets in the second round of the boys’ 14-and-under division of the week-long tournament featuring the country’s leading age-groupers.

Martin, 11, bundled out Ryotaro Shimomura, 6-3, 6-3, while Eala swept Adam Sujica, 6-0, 6-0.

Top seed Cenon Gonzales Jr., No. 2 Emmanuel Vacallares, No. 3 Soheimen Mama, No. 4 Jan Godfrey Seno and fifth ranked Justin Prulla drew opening round byes and will all see action today.

Others who advanced were Li-Yang Thean, Alquin Flores, Daniel Villasenor, Brysl Libao, Emmanuel Balce III, Norlan Gaspar and Mimo Tomacruz.