MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Johnny Arcilla proved too strong for qualifier Novo Navarro with a merciless 6-1, 6-1 win that sent him to the second round of the 30th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open men’s singles at the PCA indoor clay shell courts in Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila.
The 30-year-old Arcilla, a five-time champion, was on the attack right at the start and ended Navarro’s campaign in less than an hour.
“I’m in a better condition now than last year because of our three-week training camp with Cecil Mamiit for the Southeast Asian Games,” said Arcilla, a member of the men’s national team what won silver medal in the recently-concluded 2011 SEA Games in Palembang, Indonesia.
Arcilla will next face promising netter Kyle Parpan, a 6-2, 6-4 winner over Eric Olivarez Jr. in the tournament presented by Cebuana Lhuillier.
“As it goes on, I think my game will reach higher levels because I’m all pumped up to play my best,” added Arcilla, owner of eight local titles this year after winning tournaments in Bohol, Cebu, Zamboanga, Makati, Paranaque, Palawan, Cainta and Lucena.
Third seed Patrick John Tierro and fourth pick Rolando Ruel Jr. also made their presence felt after trouncing separate rivals in the P500,000 event which offers a whopping P100,000 to the men’s singles champion and P50,000 to the ladies’ winner.
Tierro easily disposed of Andrew Joshua Cano, 6-2, 6-0, while Ruel posted an equally impressive 6-0, 6-2 victory over unseeded Pedro Gonzales.
Other opening-day winners were Roel Capampangan, who bounced out Chris Caguiron, 6-3, 6-4; Alexander Lazaro, who survived Calvin Canlas, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3; Gilbert Estrada, who beat Rolly Anasta, 6-4, 6-3; Chris Cuarto, who defeated Mike Basco, 6-0, 6-1; Dheo Talatayod, who outclassed Josenico Peralta, 6-3, 6-1; and Rolly Litang, who blasted Bernanlou Bering, 6-2, 6-3.
Men’s doubles action begins today also at the PCA indoor shell-clay courts.