By Jean Malanum – PNA
MANILA — Unseeded Ezekiel Jucutan has maintained his winning form to reach the quarterfinal round of the Philippine Sports Commission-Philippine Tennis Association (PSC-PHILTA) National Age Group Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Thursday.
Jucutan eliminated third seed Mark Andrei Jarata, 6-1, 6-2, to advance against seventh seed John Roddick Litang in the boys’ 14-under category. Litang beat Shaun Nicolo Salazar, 6-0, 6-1, in the second round.
Jucutan also made it to the quarterfinal round of the 16-under category after posting a 6-1, 6-2 victory over unseeded Lance Fernandez. He will be up against top seed Axl Lajon Gonzaga, who rallied past unseeded Rafael Liangco, 2-6, 6-2, 10-4.
Meanwhile, Jarata stunned fourth seed Jude Padao, 4-6, 6-4, 10-6, to forge a quarterfinal showdown with unseeded John David Velez in the 16-under category. Velez defeated unseeded Manolo Angara, 6-0, 6-0.
Second seed Aljohn Talatayod outplayed Marco Makalintal, 6-4, 6-3, to set up a quarterfinal meeting with seventh seed Diego Dayrit, who prevailed over unseeded Stephen Catipon, 6-1, 6-1.
Third pick Jude Hidalgo downed Prince Patrick Salvacion, 6-2, 6-3, to move on to the quarterfinal round where he will face unseeded Joewyn Pascua, a 6-1, 6-4 winner over No. 8 John Roddick Litang.
In the boys’ 14-under category, the top-ranked Gonzaga demolished John Prince Lim, 6-0, 6-0, to arrange a quarterfinal duel with No. 6 Darwin Cosca Jr., who won over Brent So, 6-3, 6-0.
Makalintal and Pascua likewise earned quarterfinal slots in the 14-under category. Makalintal scored a 6-2, 6-1 upset win over fourth seed Prince Luis Salvacion to advance against fifth seed Jude Michael Padao, who won over Lance Fernandez, 7-5, 6-2. Pascua ousted No. 8 Prince Patrick Salvacion, 6-1, 6-1, to set up a meeting with second seed Rupert Ohrelle Tortal, who won by default over John Dale Delcorro.
In the boys’ 18-under category, top seed Aljohn Talatayod and second seed Jude Hidalgo lived up to their billings to reach the quarterfinal round. Talatayod defeated Abraham Lawyer, 6-1, 6-0, to advance against No. 5 Rafael Liangco, who won by default over Red Ante.
Meanwhile, Hidalgo trounced Jess Mill Palapuz, 6-1, 6-0, to forge a quarterfinal showdown with Zire Mina, who advanced after both Ken Unique Dela Cruz and Daniel Estanislao III failed to show up.
Marco Ayala outclassed Stephen Catipon, 6-0, 6-0, and will face the winner between third seed Loucas Fernandez and John David Velez, who are scheduled to play on Friday.
In the girls’ 16-under category, No. 1 Gaby Zoleta beat unseeded Nina Sandejas, 6-2, 6-2, to advance against unseeded Kaye Ann Emana, who stunned No. 6 Julia Ignacio, 6-2, 6-2.
The only other unseeded player in the Final Eight is Tiffany Nocos, who conquered No. 5 Katherine Mercado, 6-1, 6-1. Nocos will be up against third seed Jonamil Prado, who blasted Sydney Bush, 6-0, 6-0.
Second seed Althea Fay Ong and fourth seed Theresa Claire Nacito have both secured seats in the next round. Ong downed Bettina Catoto, 6-3, 6-0, to advance against No. 8 Kryshana Brazal, a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Jhastine Red Ballado. Nacito, on the other hand, hacked out a 6-4, 6-4 win over Angelica Jem Perez, to advance against seventh seed Justine Maneja, who posted a 6-3, 6-1 win over Devie Pearl Patoc.
In the 18-under category, Gabby Sandejas won over Sydney Bush, 6-1, 6-2, to forge a second-round showdown with top seed Gaby Zoleta, who drew a first-round bye. Other winners were Marie Francesca Cruz, Nina Sandejas, Kaye Ann Emana, Tiffany Roque and Martina Naredo.