Rupert Zaragosa picked up two easy wins and nailed the first quarterfinal berth as the fancied bets breezed through the Philippine Amateur Open Match Play Golf Championship at the Orchard Golf and Country Club’s Player course in Dasmariñas, Cavite yesterday.

Zaragosa, who closed out with a bogey-free 69 to top the 36-hole stroke play elims Tuesday, toppled No. 32 Alexi Garzon, 8&6, in the first match of the knockout phase then clobbered Japanese Takuya Kawamura, 6&5, in sweltering afternoon play to advance to the Last 8 of the annual event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation and held as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Golf Tour.

No. 2 Jolo Magcalayo struggled but hurdled Korean Won Yong Hwi just the same, 2&1, then foiled Lester Lagman, 4&3, to arrange a quarterfinal duel with seventh ranked Aniceto Mandanas, who smothered Joseph Orbito, 5&3, in morning play then rapped Richnell Albano, 4&3, in the Last 16 stage of the weeklong event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines and backed by Cignal and Metro Pacific Investment.

Third seed Luis Castro also fashioned out an easy 7&6 romp over Peter Asinas, then repulsed GJ Katigbak, 2-up, to seal the other quarters pairing against No. 11 Dan Cruz, who dominated Alex Trinos, 5&3, in the first round then outsteadied Carlo Villaroman on the 19th hole in the lower half of the draw.

Defending champion Noel Langamin also stayed on course for a repeat as the No. 4 seed thumped Tommy Jeong, 5&3, in morning play then edged Don Petil, 1-up, for a quarters clash with No. 12 Liam Curry, who nipped Nathan Kawpeng, 1-up, in the first round then posted the day’s biggest upset, a 2&1 victory over fifth ranked Jonas Magcalayo.

No. 9 Peter Po took the last quarters berth, beating Steven Ferrer, 6&5, in the opener then outlasted No. 8 Kristoffer Arevalo on the 19th hole.

Zaragosa and the other quarterfinalists brace for another grueling day with two sets of matches slated today with the winners in afternoon play disputing the crown tomorrow in a marathon 36-hole duel.

With top seed Yuka Saso, No. 2 Harmie Constantino, third seed Sofia Blanco and No. 4 Kayla Nocum drawing opening round byes, Koreans Yang Ju Young and Kim Hui Won beat their respective rivals to clinch quarterfinal seats.

Yang clipped compatriot Kang Da Yeon, 4&3, while Kim turned back Rev Alcantara, 3&1, in the upper half of the women’s draw.

Alex Etter blasted Jona Magcalayo, 4&3, and Kristine Torralba routed Korean Baek Yeun Jea, 8&6, to nail the other seats in the Last 8 phase.