Tierro wavers on slow surface but pulls thru

MANILA, Philippines - PJ Tierro struggled early on the slow surface before beating Renz Lapating, 8-3, yesterday at the start of the 34th Philippine Columbian Association Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event at the PCA’s Plaza Dilao clay courts in Paco, Manila.

The win set up Tierro, 30, against another unheralded bet, Ken Phillip Pardela, who turned back Francis Segumpan, 8-5, seeking another win and momentum as he shoots for another crown after upending eight-time winner Johnny Arcilla, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3, in last year’s finals.

“It’s going to be another tough campaign but I’m confident of my chances,” said Tierro, also seeking one of the two slots in the second leg of the 2015 Manila International Tennis Federation’s Men’s Futures on Oct. 2.

“The court is slower compared to the old one but I’m still getting used to it,” said Tierro in Filipino.

Also up for grabs in the annual tournament, supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop, The Philippine Star, Head, Babolat, Compass/IMOSTI and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, are berths to the qualifying round of ITF-sanctioned event to the losing semifinalists and quarterfinalists.

The doubles champion, like the singles finalists, will also earn outright slots in the top-level event.

Meanwhile, Arcilla, former world juniors standout Francisco Casey Alcantara and current ITF junior campaigner AJ Lim see action today. Arcilla, coming off a morale-boosting win in the Tunafest Open crown in Gen. Santos City two weeks ago, faces Laurence Obdina at 11:45 a.m. while Alcantara, who trounced Tierro for the Olivarez Cup title last month, clashes with Dale Gorospe at 2:45 p.m.

Lim tackles Rey Mayo at 11 a.m. of this tournament also sponsored by Whirlpool/Fujidenzo, Broadway Motor Sales Corp. Coca-Cola Fesma Philippines, Tyrecorp Incorporated, Pearl Garden Hotel and Metro Global Holdings Corp.

Jake Martin, Francis Jeff Pantino, James Sumaylo, Francis Dominic Lanzado, Carl Ubalde, Francis Edilbert Alcantara, John Jeric Accion and Dale Gorospe earned spots in the main draw after defeating their respective rivals in the qualifying round.

Martin beat Andrew Tangalin (8-4); Pantino outlasted Jeremiah Latorre (8-5); Sumaylo overpowered Ronald Roces (8-5); Lanzado scored a walkover win against Marc Concepcion; Ubalde crushed Joen Mendoza (8-0); Alcantara bested Rodolfo Agna (8-2); Accion clobbered Jaffary Cariga (8-0); and Gorospe thumped Dave Bienes (8-3).