MANILA, Philippines — After trying her luck in the Mutya ng Pilipinas beauty pageant a few months back, Anna Clarice Patrimonio has returned to the game she loved most – tennis.
Still regaining her old lethal form caused by her long layoff, second seed Patrimonio turned back third pick Aileen Rogan, 7-6 (6), 6-1, yesterday to advance to the women’s singles quarterfinals of the 37th Phl Columbian Association Open at the PCA’s Plaza Dilao shell courts in Paco, Manila.
The 25-year-old Patrimonio, daughter of PBA great Alvin who hurdled Tameka Peterson, 6-0, 6-0, in the first round Saturday, thus forged a duel with No. 8 Arianne Nillasca, who survived wild card Maika Tanpoco in a pulsating 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 triumph, at 2 p.m. tomorrow.
“I’m doing my best to regain my old self and I’m slowly but surely getting there,” said Patrimonio, a former Southeast Asian Games medal winner who topped this annual tournament in 2015 and 2016.
Patrimonio’s elder sister, Anna Christine, likewise made it through after smashing Miles Vitaliano, 6-0, 6-2.