PCA Open: Nguyen smothers opponent; Opulencia struggles

MANILA, Philippines - Tamitha Nguyen and Joan Opulencia posted contrasting victories to advance in the girls’ 18-under of the 28th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open at the PCA indoor clay shell courts in Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila over the weekend.

Nguyen whitewashed Macrene Mijares, 6-0, 6-0, while Opulencia needed to fight back from a set down to turn back Aziel Manantan, 4-6, 6-0, 10-6.

Also making it into the next round are Bea Fabregas and Alyssa Mendoza. Fabregas defeated Jade Capadocia, 6-4, 6-1, while Mendoza trumped Isabel Lim, 6-1, 6-3.

But Fabregas will have her hands full as she goes up against top seed Patricia Orteza in the next round.

In the girls’ 16-under class, JV Custodio and Joana Carnay beat Claire Apostol, 6-0, 6-1, and Jenica Tan, 6-2, 6-1, respectively.

Custodio and Carnay will be joining No. 1 Shanine Olivares, No. 2 Marian Capadocia, No. 3 Samantha Coyiuto and No. 4 Macy Gonzales in the quarterfinals.

Unseeded Patricia Ong, meanwhile, scored a walkover win over Corine Cheng.

In the boys’ 18-under, Kirby Rocamora outclassed Jules Lim, 6-0, 6-0; Jovil Villaflor trounced Garry Nuguit, 6-3, 6-4, and Kristian Tesorio overwhelmed Gerard San Juan, 6-2, 6-1.

A total of P500,000 in cash prize is up for grabs in the event backed by Pera Padala, Alagang Cebuana Plus, Just Jewels, Le Soleil De Boracay, Phiten, Accel, Coca-Cola Bottlers, Dunlop, San Miguel, Universal Paint, Pagcor, Pet One, Little Lawrence, Babolat, Philta, Whirlpool, Pixel Project, Burlington Sports Socks, RFM Corp, Shirt Republik, The Philippine STAR, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, The Manila Times, Malaya, Trubune and Solar Sports.