Victorino, Santos capture Philta Open crowns

Nobody, not even an experienced Adelo Abadia and a cat-quick Alyssa Labay, could stop favorites Joseph Victorino and Ana Patricia Santos from dominating the P200,000 Philta Open at the Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque.

Unleashing another rock-solid baseline game, the 19-year-old Victorino rode on the crest of a dominating 6-0, 6-0 semifinal victory over No. 3 Johnny Arcilla with a masterful 6-1, 6-1 smashing of second pick Abadia to crown himself men’s champion.

Santos was as impressive as the tremendously-improved Victorino, walloping fellow Federation Cupper and second-ranked Labay of La Carlota, 6-2, 6-4, to rule the women’s side.

For Victorino, it was his fifth title since last year and second win in a row over Abadia, whom he defeated in a grueling five-set win in the finals of the PCA Open in November last year.

For Santos, who is part of the RP team set to participate in the Fed Cup’s Group II event scheduled from April 21-27 in Tokyo, Japan, it was her second crown since returning to active tennis from a brief two-year hiatus.

"I was happy with the way I played in this tournament because I really prepared for this," said Victorino, who pocketed P35,000 for his feat.

"This is a good win for me because I’m looking forward to representing the country in a Davis Cup match against Kazakhstan next month and several tournaments abroad in the near future," he added.

Abadia, who has struggled in all his game in this event bankrolled by Philta chairman Dr. Pablo Olivarez, for his part, finally succumbed to the pain from his right elbow he has nursed in this tournament as he could not play his usual game.

"Medyo bumigay na ’yung kanang siko ko," said Abadia, a many-time Davis Cupper. "Kaya ko naman siya kaya lang nagmadali ako dahil gusto kong matapos agad ang laro tapos matiyaga pa si Joseph."

While Victorino had another easy day, Santos, a 23-year-old graduating Home Economics student at the University of the Philippines, had to overcome some anxious moments against Labay, a promising 17-year-old lass who is a discovery of coach Danny Jose.

Santos, who bagged P18,000 for singles triumph, had lapses in concentration after she trailed in the opening set, 1-2 and in the second, 0-3, but came back in both occasions with solid, patient plays that unnerved her youthful opponent.

"I lost focus early in both the first and second sets but I kept my cool and came back to win this one," said Santos, who failed to make it a twin win after she and partner Labay lost to Jennifer Saret and Caniza, 6-3, 6-1, in women’s doubles.

Arcilla and Michael Mora III, on the other hand, downed the veteran pair of Jun Jun Toledo and Biong Sison, 6-3, 7-6(2) to cop the men’s doubles crown.