Alcantara, Arcilla rip ITF Futures rivals

MANILA, Philippines - Local aces Johnny Arcilla and Francis Casey Alcantara trampled their respective rivals to roll into the second round of the PSC-Philta International Men’s Futures Open at Valle Verde Country Club shell courts in Pasig City yesterday.

Arcilla, an eight-time PCA Open champion, outplayed Japanese Yusei Fukuoka, 6-0, 6-2, while Alcantara bundled out compatriot and pal Elbert Anasta, 6-1, 6-3, to stay in the title hunt in the $15,000 event.

But Arcilla and Alcantara are in for a tough ride in today’s second round with the former facing top seed Enrique Lopez-Perez of Spain, who romped off with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Shu Saito of Japan in the opening round of the tournament organized by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Tennis Association, Pioneer Insurance, Babolat, Asian Tennis Federation and Philta president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

Alcantara, the 2009 Australian Open boys doubles winner making his first crack at an ITF Future event, will take on Hiromasa Oku of Japan, who eased out Filipino Kyle Dandan, 6-1, 6-2, in the event supported by Palm Rock Hotel, Sweet Valley, TCU Aircon Sales and Services, Globe, Beginnings Baby Products, The Henry Hotel, ROCD Roofworks, IPTL and Plantation Bay Spa and Resort.

“It was supposed to be a relaxed game with a friend,” said Alcantara, the Pepperdine University stalwart of fellow Davis Cupper Anasta. “But I still felt the jitters, maybe it’s because it’s my first ITF Futures.”

The 23-year-old Alcantara was serving for the match at 5-3 but fell 0-30. “I was stiff so I had to relax. Fortunately I did. I got over the hump and ready for the next round.”