Patrimonio, Rudas prime up for rematch

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Marinel Rudas and No. 2 Clarice Patrimonio came out of first round byes with guns blazing, beating their respective rivals in emphatic fashions to roll into the star-studded quarterfinal round of the third Olivarez Cup Open Tennis Championship at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat yesterday.

Rudas, itching to get back at Patrimonio after blowing a first round lead and the match in last year’s finale, blanked Jella Capadocia, 6-0, 6-0, while Patrimonio dropped just one game to oust Charito Capadocia, 6-0, 6-1, in the lower half of the draw.

Also reaching the Last 8 phase of the ladies side of the event presented by Palawan Pawnshop and held in honor of former Parañaque mayor Dr. Pablo Olivarez are third seed Marian Capadocia, fourth ranked Aileen Rogan and No. 6 Roxanne Resma.

“It will be an exciting, action-packed quarters featuring the country’s leading netters, who really serve as inspiration to our young players,” said Philta president Rep. Edwin Olivarez. “We thank Palawan Pawnshop for their all-out support to the sport.”

Marian Capadocia overwhelmed Khim Iglupas, 6-2, 6-0; Rogan survived a second set scare to finish off Ma. Angela Sunga, 6-3, 7-6(4) and Resma, coming off a victory in the age-group side last week, defeated Ana Bienes, 6-0, 6-2.

Three surprise bets, however, emerged to join the big guns in the next round of the event sponsored by Dunlop Sports, Stronghold Insurance, FedEx Air21 and Olivarez Sports Center with Edilyn Balanga stunning fifth ranked Alyssa Labay, 6-1, 6-2, to set a quarters duel with Rogan.

Katrina Orteza, who upset No. 8 Christine Patrimonio, 6-1, 6-1, in the first round, dominated Yoshi Noguchi, 6-0, 6-1, to arrange a clash with Marian Capadocia.

Focus will also be on Hanna Grace Espinosa, who scored a walkover win over No. 7 Jzash Canja in the opener before repulsing Macy Gonzales, 6-3, 7-6(4) to seal a showdown with Clarice Patrimonio.

Action resumes today (Wednesday) with matches both in the ladies and men’s divisions with top seed Johnny Arcilla and No. 2 defending champion Vicente Anasta shooting for Last 16 berths against Arc Dolorito and Juan Gabriel Peña, respectively.

Others fancied to advance are third seed Patrick Tierro, No. 4 Rolando Ruel Jr., No. 5 Roel Capangpangan, sixth ranked Ronard Joven, No. 7 Mark Anthony Alcoseba, eighth seed Marc Reyes, No. 9 Leander Lazaro and 10th ranked Kim Saraza.