Iglupas, Balanga shock rivals in Cainta netfest

MANILA, Philippines - Khim Iglupas and Edilyn Balanga came through with a pair of reversals against their respective fancied rivals even as top seed Marinel Rudas and No. 2 Clarice Patrimonio eased through the quarterfinal round of the third Cainta-Palawan Pawnshop Open Tennis Championships at Brookside Hills Tennis Club in Cainta, Rizal last Thursday.

Iglupas fought back from a set down to repulse No. 5 Aileen Rogan, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, but will have her hands full against Rudas when she shoots for a seat in the women’s semifinal round of the week-long event presented by Palawan Pawnshop and organized by the Brookside Hills Tennis Club in cooperation with the LGUs of Cainta.

Balanga, who reached the semis of the Olivarez Cup last week, broke No. 7 Christine Patrimonio once in each set to fashion out a 6-4, 6-4 triumph. She, however, will face Olivarez Cup winner Marian Capadocia, who beat April Santos, 6-0, 6-1, in the quarters.

Clarice Patrimonio, meanwhile, scuttled Ma. Dominique Ong. 6-3, 6-1, to arrange a duel with Macy Gonzales, who also stunned No. 8 Jennylyn Magpayo, 6-0, 6-3, while sixth ranked Roxanne Resma and No. 4 Alyssa Labay square off for the other semis berth.

Resma scored a walkover win over Charito Capadocia while Labay survived Jella Capadocia, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.

The men’s draw went according to form as top seed Johnny Arcilla toppled Fritz Verdad, 6-2, 6-1, and No. 2 Vicente Anasta downed Joseph Arcilla, 6-1, 6-5. Others who advanced to the quarters were No. 3 Patrick Tierra, fourth seed Rolando Ruel Jr., fifth ranked Leander Lazaro and No. 8 Mark Alcoseba.

Antonio Sagansay also advanced with a tough 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 win over Dino Talatayod, while Fil-Italian Marc Reyes ousted No. 6 Roel Capangpangan, 6-4, 6-1.