Top bets on collision course

Joseph Victorino and Johnny Arcilla smashed their respective rivals yesterday to move a step closer to another much-awaited showdown in the P200,000 Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) Open at the Olivarez Sports Center indoor courts in Parañaque.

The 18-year-old Victorino disposed of Roland Kraut with relative ease, 6-2, 6-1, virtually the same manner by which Arcilla dominated Raymundo Lopez, 6-3, 6-1, in victories that put two of the country’s top netters on track for another possible confrontation.

Victorino and Arcilla, both members of the RP team that lost to China in a Group II Davis Cup tie in China last month, take on Rolando Ruel and Pop Sabandon in the quarterfinals, both looking for a victory that would set them up for a fourth duel in nine months.

Sabandon, sixth seed in this event backed by Philta chairman Dr. Pablo Olivarez and supported by Stronghold Insurance, Wilson Balls, Sime Tires, Mizuno and Olivarez Group of Companies, walloped Cris Cuarto, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, while the seventh seed Ruel booted out Pio Tolentino, 7-5, 6-3.

"Medyo maganda ang kundisyon ko ngayon kaya malakas ang loob kong manalo sa tournament na ito," said the top-ranked Victorino, who bested the third-seeded Arcilla in the semifinals on his way to this year’s PCA Open crown.

"Malamang si Johnny (Arcilla) na naman ang sunod na makatapat ko, gustong-gusto ko siyang makalaban kasi alam ko mahirap siyang talunin," added the bandana-wearing Lleyton Hewitt fan.

While Victorino and Arcilla hardly worked out a sweat in advancing to the next round, second pick Adelo Abadia, a runner-up in the PCA Open, struggled before repulsing a stubborn Luisito Clores 7-5, 7-5, in a game that lasted an hour and 15 minutes.

Next foe for Abadia is the comebacking Joseph Lizardo, a many-time Davis Cupper who is now a full-time coach. Lizardo groped for form against veteran campaigner Jessie Lapore but still prevailed, 6-3, 6-2.

But the biggest triumph of the round came from 21-year-old Bacolod City native Elbert Anasta, who extended his giant-slaying spree with a come-from-behind 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9) victory over 15th ranked Chemiel Mantua, a day after eliminating fourth seed Michael Mora III.

Anasta, who learned the rudiments of the game watching games at the Fort Bonifacio tennis courts as a 14-year-old ballboy, faces another surprise winner in Alexander Lazaro.

Lazaro, who made it into the main draw after topping the qualifier a week ago, rode on the momentum of his shock 6-3, 6-2, win over fifth seed Nino Salvador of San Sebastian College as he scuttled Michael Quiñonez, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0.

On the distaff side, Josephine Paguyo and Angelica Ngo pulled off contrasting victories to become the first two women’s quarter-finalists.

Paguyo trounced seventh ranked Deena Rose Cruz, 6-4, 6-3, while Ngo advanced to the next round without hitting a ball as her opponent failed to show up in their round-of-16 match.