DUNLOP-ZESTO JUNIOR TENNIS – Ringia, Amazona on collision course

By Neil Bravo
Top-seeded Mikko Ringia and second seed Jeleardo Amazona set themselves up for a possible double collision with contrasting wins to the semifinals in the Dunlop-Zesto Junior Tennis Championship at the GSIS Tennis Center.
Amazona, the Davao Oriental pride, turned back Jonathan Palac 6-3 6-1 to arrange a semis duel with upset-conscious James Sumaylo who dropped the upset axe on third seed Paolo Cansino 6-4, 6-3 earlier in the first round of the boys 18-under.
In the top end of the draw, the no. 1 seed Ringia had to go through the virtual eye of the needle before surviving the tough stand of Ivan Diamante, 6-4 1-6 12-10, and booked a semis clash with Angelo Factora who booted out fourth seed Christian Fel Lopez 7-5 6-3.
In the boys 16-under, the top-ranked Ringia arranged a semis duel against fourth seed Factora while no. 2 seed Amazona will face no. 3 seed Lopez.
In other fronts, boys 14-under top seed seed Janus Ringia defeated Merwin Estrellado 6-4 6-1 to advance to the semifinals against no. 3 Jeric Delos Santos, a 6-4 6-1 winner over Harry Karon. In the lower draw, AJ Alejandre will face Carlo Anino in the semis.
Alejandre, seeded second, bucked a first set loss to defeat Jefferson Alqueza 2-6 7-5 10-7, while no. 7 Anino turned the tables around no. 4 Stephen Tubbs, 6-2 6-4.
In the 12-under class, top seed Janus Ringia set himself up for a quarterfinals duel against no. 5 Joshua Regino, while second seed Mark Directo will take on 6th seed Cyrin Martinez in the round of 8.
In the 10-under unisex, top seed Mark Directo advanced to the semifinals against unseeded Jan Santos while second seed Eric Comendador will face no. 3 John David Velez.
The Group 3 event, sponsored by Dunlop Fort balls and Zesto Juice Drinks, is sanctioned by Philta and organized by Philta Region XI-B director Titong Cansino.
The girls division swing into action Thursday.