Two former champions survived tough challenges yesterday to advance to the quarterfinals of the 101st Manoa Cup at Oahu Country Club.

Defending champion Alex Ching wasn't as fortunate.

Ching, who just finished a successful freshman season at the University of San Diego, lost to 2007 champion Kurt Nino, who just completed his collegiate career at San Francisco. The score was 3 and 2.

Nino will play Scott Ichimura, who defeated Marc Rosen, 6 and 4, in today's first quarterfinal at 7 a.m.

In other third-round matches yesterday:

• 2004 Manoa Cup champion Ryan Perez defeated Samuel Rodriguez III, 3 and 2.

• Robert Szymaszek defeated Doug Williams, 1-up.

• Layne Morita beat Alika Bell, 7 and 6.

• Christopher Armanini went 19 holes to oust Rudy Cabalar.

• T.J. Kua beat Bradley Yosaitis on the 21st hole.

• David Saka needed 22 holes to beat Kalena Preus.

Szymaszek and Morita will tee it up at 7:08 a.m. today, followed by Armanini and Kua at 7:16, and Saka and Perez at 7:24.

The quarterfinal winners will be paired at noon and 12:08 p.m. today for the semifinals. Both quarterfinal and semifinal matches are 18 holes.

The 36-hole final will be held tomorrow starting at 7 a.m.