Top seeds tow winners in upset-hit PCA Open

MANILA, Philippines - Top seeds Mikaela Vicencio and Chloe Mae Saraza got past their respective rivals in contrasting fashion to lead the winners in the upset-marred 33rd PCA Open at the PCA indoor shell clay courts yesterday.

Vicencio used her power to beat No. 2 Jackie Tan Ho, 6-4, 6-4, in the girls’ 14-under finals, while Saraza bounced back from a second set setback to frustrate the unseeded Angela Cabaral, 6-0, 4-6, 6-1, in the girls’ 16-under championship.

Unheralded Jose Maria Pague, on the other hand, upended the cramp-stricken third seed Janus Ringia, 2-6, 6-4, 5-4 (ret.), to clinch the boys’ 14-under crown. 

Daniel Estanislao III, Brent Signmond Cortes and Alexandra Eala also pulled off reversals to rule their respective categories. The unseeded Estanislao shocked second pick Aljon Talatayod, 6-2, 6-3, for the boys’ 12-under crown, while No. 5 Cortes held off No. 3 Rupert Ohrelle Tortal, 2-4, 4-0, 5-4 (5), to snare the 10-unisex title.

Eala, No. 2, repulsed top pick Miles Vitaliano, 7-6 (6), 6-1), for the girls’ 12-under championship. Eala also teamed up with Saraza to capture the girls’ 14-under doubles with an 8-4 win over Vicencio and Melanie Dizon.

Cortes, teaming up with Prince Najeeb Langitao, downed Miguel Luis Vicencio and Minette Bentillo, 8-7 (6), to snatch the 10-under unisex doubles plum.

In the boys’ 18-under, No. 7 Argil Lance Canizares and No. 3 Joshua Cano sealed a title duel after beating No. 2 Chris Prulla (6-3, 6-4) and top seed Marcen Gonzales (6-2, 6-4), respectively.

Vincent Alanis will battle Cenon Gonzales Jr. in the boys’ 16-under finals after crushing Jake Martin (6-1, 6-0) and Fernando Arguelles (6-1, 6-3), respectively.