SURIGAO CITY PRIDE. Rupert Ohrelle Tortal in action during the first round of the PSC-PHILTA National Age Group Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Wednesday. Tortal defeated Joewyn Pascua, 6-0, 6-2, to reach the semifinal of the boys' 14-under category. (PNA photo by Jess Escaros)
MANILA -- Palarong Pambansa medalist Joewyn Pascua banked on his huge forehand to reach the semifinal round of the boys' 16-under category in the Philippine Sports Commission - Philippine Tennis Association (PSC-PHILTA) National Age-Group Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Friday.
Pascua, who won the individual gold and team bronze medals in the Palarong Pambansa last April, pulled off a 6-3, 4-6, 10-8 win over third seed Jude Hidalgo of Vigan, Ilocos Sur to arrange a Final Four showdown with Aljohn Talatayod.
The second-ranked Talatayod, a member of the Arellano University junior team, marched into the semis after posting a 6-3, 6-4 victory over seventh seed Diego Dayrit of De La Salle-Zobel.
"Masaya po ako dahil nakalaro ko ang mas magagaling sa akin at tinalo ko sila (I am happy because I was able to play against better players and I beat them)," said the unseeded Pascua, who eliminated No. 8 John Roddick Litang of Davao City, 6-1, 6-4, in the first round.
Pascua, a member of the team that won the gold medal in the Batang Pinoy National Games in Baguio City last September, said he is optimistic of reaching the championship round.
"First time ko makakaharap si Aljohn. Alam kong mahusay sya kaya kailangan ko gawin ang lahat para manalo. (It will be my first meeting with Talatayod. I know he is good, so I have to do my best)," said the 13-year-old Pascua, who was born and raised in Mapandan town in Pangasinan. He is a Grade 7 student at Joyland School in San Fabian town.
Pascua won the individual bronze and the team gold in the 2017 Palarong Pambansa in Antique. His first international tournament was the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) event in Hong Kong. This year, he joined ATF events in Qatar and Singapore.
Meanwhile, John David Velez of Davao City defeated Mark Andrei Jarata of La Union, 6-0, 6-2, to gain a semifinal berth.
Velez, a freshman at Letran College in Manila, will face the winner between top seed Axl Lagon Gonzaga and unseeded Ezekiel Jucutan.
Gonzaga, the No. 1 seed in the 14-under category, scored a 6-4, 6-0 win over No. 6 Darwin Cosca Jr. to forge a semifinal duel with unseeded Marco Makalintal, who stunned No. 5 Jude Michael Padao, 6-4, 4-6, 10-3.
The other semifinal match will feature Jucutan against No. 2 Rupert Ohrelle Tortal. Jucutan ousted No. 7 John Roddick Litang, 6-2, 6-3, while Tortal prevailed over Joewyn Pascua, 6-0, 6-2.
In the girls' 16-under category, unseeded Kaye Ann Emana toppled No. 1 Gaby Zoleta, 6-0, 3-6, 10-3, to set up a semifinal meeting with No. 7 Justine Maneja, a 6-0, 6-1 winner over No. 4 Theresa Claire Nacito.
Other matches saw second seed Althea Fay Ong beating No. 8 Kryshana Brazal, 6-4, 6-2, and unseeded Tiffany Nocos winning over third seed Jonamil Prado.
In the girls' 12-under category, all four seeds led by Marielle Alexi Jarata marched on to the semifinal round.
Jarata outclassed Kaye Laurice Muztaza, 6-1, 6-1, to arrange a meeting with third seed Tenneille Madis of Cotabato, who demolished Krisha Mae Bolilan, 6-0, 6-0.
Second seed Mica Ella Emana whipped Sofia Tenorio, 6-0, 6-0, to forge a showdown with No. 4 Jayden Reece Ballado, 6-0, 6-0.
In the unisex 10-under, the semifinalists are No. 1 Kriz Roque Lim, No. 2 Jayden Reece Ballado, No. 3 Gavin Kraut and Agustin Paolo Bartolome. (PNA)
