MANILA, Philippines - Johnny Arcilla began his quest for a ninth title after he easily disposed of Kyle Joseph, 6-1, 6-0, at the start of the 33rd Philippine Columbian Association Open singles at the PCA indoor courts yesterday.
Playing on the same slow, slippery clay court where he won a tournament record eight titles, the 34-year-old Arcilla was indomitable as he hacked out a relatively easy victory over an overmatched Joseph, a last-minute replacement of Miguel dela Paz, who withdrew from the annual event.
The win sent Arcilla to a second round showdown with the winner in the match between Kyle Parpan and Alberto Villamayor.
After the match, Arcilla said he is in top-top shapel, which gives him a strong chance to win his ninth crown.
“I’m in great condition compared to last year so I think I have a good chance to win it this year,”said Arcilla, a many-time member of the Phl Davis Cup team who has made a living here in the PCA.
Arcilla though knows his path to the title will be treacherous as he is bracketed with serious title contenders AJ Lim and Enebert Anasta.
“My bracket is a little bit tough because AJ Lim and Onyok (Anasta) are in it. I’ll just take it a game at a time,” said Arcilla.
Top seed PJ Tierro likewise got off to a strong start after he downed age-group champion Joshua Cano, 6-2, 6-4, to advance to the next round where he will be pitted against either Abdulquohar Allian or Marcen Gonzales.
Last year’s losing finalist Marc Anthony Reyes also made his presence felt by crushing John Jeric Accion, 6-0, 6-2.
The tournament though was not without some upsets as unheralded Angelo Esguerra and Bernardine Siso stole some of the spotlights with shock wins over fancied Calvin Canlas, 6-3, 6-2, and Jarryd Manduriao, 7-6 (4), 6-3, respectively.
Other opening day winners were Ronard Joven, Arcie Mano, Arc Dolorito, Rollie Anasta and Expedito Lim Jr.
Joven smashed Jose Nicholas Cano, 6-1, 6-0; Mano edged John Alticher, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4; Dolorito turned back Chris Justine Prulla, 4-6, 6-0, 6-1, Anasta outlasted John Angelo Cerezo, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0; and Lim trounced Inigo Caguiron, 6-4, 7-5.