Wednesday, April 04, 2007 Santos, Gerapusco make semis By Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan
TOP-seed El Santo Santos of Davao City eliminated Henry Notarte of Tagum City, 10-2, in the boys 18-under quarterfinals Tuesday in the 2007 Head Junior Tennis Satellite Circuit at the Ecoland Phase 4 courts.
Santos, a BIMP Eaga Friendship Games gold medalist last year, will go up against Gerard Pinili of Cotabato City in the semifinals Wednesday.
Pinili, very effective with his net attacks, eliminated Princeton Gerapusco of Cotabato, 10-2, in another quarters match.
Santos and Pinili will meet on court for the 11th time today. Santos holds an edge over Pinili in their head-to-head duel, winning 10 of eight matches.
"Gagawin ko lang po ang makakaya ko. Siguro matatalo ko siya sa running game, atake sa net, backhand and forehand ko (I'll do my best to beat him through a running game, net attacks and with my backhand and forehand returns)," Santos said.
Pinili downplayed his chances against Santos, but vowed to go all out in their much-anticipated encounter.
General Santos netter Ernesto Pantua was still playing Ryan Bendijo, a 10-0 winner over Ronel Mantina, as of presstime, while Davao City bet Andrei Dizon crushed Celeste Paterno, 10-0, to arrange a quarters match against Henry Añana.
Añana nipped Allan Delvo, 10-9, in a thrilling match.
In the girls 18-under, No. 3 Eloisa Collo of Digos City will collide with No. 2 Alyssa Callejo in the semis after booting out Zaritha Sta. Cruz, 10-0.
Third-seed Camille Zapatos thrashed Caesareli Silvosa, 10-0, in the girls 16-under event of the netfest presented by Dynamic Sports Corporation and sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association.
In the girls 14-under, No. 1 Cindy Gerapusco edged Jay Ann Cabilao, 10-9, to face Lenelyn Milo in the semis. Milo whipped Anna Karissa Colmenares, 10-3.
No. 3 Kristina Mae Colmenares, who dusted off Joelyn Accion, 10-0, arranged a semis encounter against No. 2 Zapatos, who overwhelmed Silvosa, 10-2.
James Sumaylo pulled off a 10-9 win over Jeleardo Amazona of Compostela Valley to march into the boys 12-under semis.
Philta ranking points, tennis merchandise and trophies await the champions and runners-up of each category.
