Otico rips Joven, barges into Olivarez semifinals

Bryan Otico sustained fierce form and waylaid fifth seed Ronard Joven, 6-2, 6-3, to arrange a semifinal showdown with second seed Patrick John Tierro in the men’s Open singles of the seventh Olivarez Cup Tennis Championship at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat on Thursday.

Otico continued to dish out top form coming off a 6-3, 6-1 demolition of No. 4 Fritz Verdad Wednesday, dominating Joven with his power, baseline game and superb court coverage as the De La Salle-Zobel student claimed another seeded bet in the premier event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and backed by backed by Milestone Guaranty and Assurance Corp. and Slazenger as official ball.