Arcilla, Tierro gain in PCA Open

MANILA, Philippines - Former eight-time winner Johnny Arcilla rolled past Laurence Obdina, 8-2, to kick off his title drive even as defending champion Patrick John Tierro cruised to the third round with an 8-0 rout over Ken Paradela in the 34th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event at the PCA Open clay courts in Paco yesterday.

Like the rest of the fancied bets, Arcilla needed some time to adjust to the new, slow but slippery surface but went to work just the same to dispose of his unheralded rival in lopsided fashion.

“Everybody is adjusting on the new court, which is a bit slippery and tough to play. But we hope to settle down in time,” said Arcilla.

After a shaky start Thursday, Tierro seemed to have settled down as he overpowered Paradela to move into the third round of the event supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop, The Philippine Star, Head, Babolat, Compass/IMOSTI and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

Fifth seed Rolando Ruel Jr also proved unstoppable against Hans Asistio, 8-1, and joined Tierro in the next round of singles play, along with ninth pick Marc Reyes and No. 15 Arcie Mano, who posted a pair of 8-1 victories over Bernardine Siso and Jason Timbal, respectively.

Third pick Elbert Anasta, No. 4 Alberto Lim Jr., No. 8 Ronard Joven and No. 12 Roel Capangpangan also trounced their respective rivals to advance in the event sponsored by Whirlpool/Fujidenzo, Broadway Motor Sales Corp. Coca-Cola Fesma Philippines, Tyrecorp Incorporated, Pearl Garden Hotel, Metro Global Holdings Corporation, Avida, PVL Restaurant, Mary Grace Foods, Inc., Seno Hardware and Wire Rope Corp.

Anasta waylaid Jomari Guira, 8-2, while Lim crushed Rey Mayo, 8-1. Joven struggled in the early going before thwarting Dave Mosqueda, 8-5. Capangpangan defeated Joshua Kinaadman, 8-4.

Other first-round winners were Joel Atienza against Bernanlou Bering (8-5), Dheo Talatayod versus Jeric Delos Santos (8-7), Argil Lance Canizares over Raymund Malapitan (8-0) and Arjohn Dela Cruz versus Larius Laforteza (8-4).

The finalists in the men’s singles will earn berths in the main draw of the 2015 Manila International Tennis Federation (ITF) Men’s Futures Leg 2 starting Oct. 2, while the players who make it into the quarterfinals and semifinals will clinch berths in the qualifying round. Only the winners in the doubles division will be given spots in the ITF main 16-pair main draw.

A total of P172,000 is up for grabs with the men’s singles winner receiving P50,000 and runner-up P25,000. The ladies singles titlist and runner-up will get P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.