Alcantara, 2 other favorites advance to 3rd round in PCA Open

MANILA, Philippines -- Francis Casey Alcantara, AJ Lim and Johnny Arcilla breezed through the second round Saturday to join reigning titlist PJ Tierro in the third round of the 34th Philippine Columbian Association Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event at the PCA's Plaza Dilao clay courts in Paco, Manila.

Alcantara, a former Australian juniors doubles champion who topped the Olivarez Cup two months ago, routed Carlo Nono, 8-2,  while Lim, a 16-year-old ITF campaigner, was more dominating after he blanked Rodolfo Barquin, 8-0, to both advance to the next round.

Arcilla, an eight-time winner in this annual event considered as the country's richest local tournament who is seeking make up for a heartbreaking finals defeat to Tierro last year, literally didn't break a sweat after a walkover win over Chris Prulla to also barge into the next round.

There, Alcantara will tackle Joel Atienza, an 8-0 winner over Santino Vista, Lim faces Jimmy Tangalin, who downed Michael Madrio, 8-3, and Arcilla squares off with John Alejandre in the event supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop, The Philippine Star, Head, Babolat, Compass/IMOSTI and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

After his win, Alcantara said he is bracing for tougher challenges going into the latter rounds.

"I can't play over-complacent because I know it's going to be tougher from here," said the 23-year-old Alcantara, who once made it to the top 10 in the world juniors rankings during his teens.

Third pick Elbert Anasta, No. 6 Marc Anthony Alcoseba and No. 8 Ronard Joven won over Jomari Guira, 8-2, Harry Caron, 8-4, and Jose Nicholas Cano, 8-3, respectively, to also move ahead in the tournament supported by Whilpool/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 Corporation.

Also making through were Roel Capangpangan, who trounced Marraphael Teng, 8-3; Dheo Talatayod, who dumped Arjohn dela Cruz; Argil Canizares, whop edged Jhun Alcoseba, 8-5; Fritz Verdad, who waylaid Joaquin Paras, 8-1; Kyle Parpan, who thrashed Renoso Valderama, 8-2; and Leander Lazaro, who smashed Alester Magalit, 8-0.

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.