VETERAN Johnny Arcilla and former juniors champion Francis Casey Alcantara encountered little resistance as they sailed into the fourth round of the 34th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event at the PCA Open clay courts in Paco, Manila.
The 35-year-old Arcilla proved too much for young North Cotabato bet Abson John Alejandre, 6-1, 6-0, while Alcantara outclassed Joel Atienza, 6-4, 6-2, in the tournament supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop, The Philippine Star, Head, Babolat, Compass/IMOSTI and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.
“Medyo nakapag-adjust na ako sa sa court pero kailangan pa na mag-ensayo para mas magamay ko ‘yung court. Mas patindi na ng patindi ang laban habang tumatagal ang tournament kaya kailangan na maging ready sa bawat laro,” said Arcilla.
The eight-time PCA champion will face Arthur Craig Pantino in the fourth round.
Pantino halted Kyle Parpan’s aggressive start, 5-7, 6-2, 6-0, to move forward in the event supported by Whilpool/Fujidenzo, Broadway Motor Sales Corp. Coca-Cola Fesma Philippines, Tyrecorp Incorporated, Pearl Garden Hotel, Metro Global Holdings Corporation, Avida, PVL Restaurant, Mary Grace Foods, Inc., Seno Hardware and Wire Rope Corporation.
Also barging into the next round are defending champion Patrick John Tierro, fifth seed Rolando Ruel Jr., and Ronard Joven who registered contrasting victories.
Tierro bolstered his title-retention bid after walloping Neil Tangali, 6-1, 6-1. Ruel, on the other hand, fought back from a disappointing first set to turn back Leandro Lazaro, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, while Joven routed Raymond Diaz, 6-1, 6-2.
In other results, Noel Damian Jr. stunned No. 15 Arcie Mano with a nail-biting 6-7 (8), 6-1, 6-2 victory, while Stefan Suarez won via walkover against ninth seed Marc Reyes, who decided to withdraw from the competition because of an injury.
Both finalists in the men’s singles will earn automatic berths in the main draw of the upcoming 2015 Manila International Tennis Federation (ITF) Men’s Futures Leg 2 slated on October 2, while players who make it into the quarterfinals and semifinals will gain access to the qualifying round.
Only the winners in doubles event will be given spots in the ITF 16-pair main draw.
Men’s doubles action kicks off today while ladies’ singles play begins on Tuesday.
A total of P87,000 is up for grabs in this year’s edition of the meet, with the men’s single champ taking the top purse of P20,000, while the runner-up gets P10,000. The ladies singles titlist and runner-up will take home P10,000 and P5,000, respectively.