Unranked Alfred Directo pulled off a series of victories to barge into the quarterfinals of two divisions, leading the charge of unfancied bets in the PPS-PEPP MAC’s Crankit Open/Juniors age group tournament at the Philippine Columbian Association courts in Paco yesterday.
Directo, from San Beda Alabang, came away with a pair of 4-0, 4-1 romps over Joshua John and Rafael Halili to join third seed John David Velez, and No. 6 Loucas Fernandez, and fellow unranked bets Joseph Gadon, Al Quiza, Joshua Tan, Arden Asilo and Chester Tiongson in the Last 8 of the premier 18-and-under class of the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala headed by Bobby Castro and MAC’s Crankit Foundation led by MCTA founder-coach Patricia Concon-Puzon.
In contrast, the top seeded bets dominated the girls premier division with No. 1 Bea Acena and No. 2 Jazzelle Madis moving into the quarters with 4-0, 4-0 and 5-4(0), 4-2 wins over Gabby Sandejas and Margaud Rosales, respectively.
Also advancing in the event backed by Dunlop, Happy Pet Products, Rep. Patrick Aquino, Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Pacific Cross, Secure Storage, The Catalog Shopper, Sea King, DWIZ 882 AM, Positive Session, Silver Screen and Brohood were Patricia Lim, Denise, Bernardo, Nina Sandejas, Jenaila Prulla, Tracy Llamas and Joshea Malazarte.