Lazaro, Otico stun rivals, make PCA Open semis

MANILA, Philippines — UAAP MVP Leander Lazaro and ITF Juniors campaigner Bryan Otico hacked out a pair of stunning reversals over their respective fancied rivals to barge into the semifinal round of the men’s singles in the 36th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open at the PCA indoor courts in Paco yesterday.

Lazaro fought back an opening set setback and shocked eight-time champion Johnny Arcilla, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, while Otico dismantled sixth seed Elbert Anasta, 6-4, 6-2.

“It was an exhausting game but I’m lucky I was able to pull through. He’s such a great player,” said Lazaro of Arcilla, one of his mentors at National University.

Otico, coming off a victory in the Pintaflores Festival Open, leaned on his power serves and superb baseline game to foil the Davis Cup veteran in an hour and a half.

“I played him before. While he wanted to end it quick in rallies, I stayed patient at every shot,” said Otico, who also won three ITF singles titles this year – two from Thailand and the other one from Hong Kong.

The 18-year-old Otico, who opted to skip the ITF Phinma Juniors to slug it out with the country’s top players, earlier beat No. 16 Rolando Ruel Jr., 6-3, 6-1, and No. 4 pick Ronard Joven, 7-6 (3), 6-3.

Titleholder Patrick John Tierro beat standout Fritz Verdad, 6-1, 6-1 to seal a semis duel with the winner between top seed Jeson Patrombon and Fil-Italian Marc Reyes in the event backed by The Philippine Star, Asian Traders Dunlop, Stronghold Insurance, Whirlpool/Fujidenzo, Head, United Auctioneers, Pearl Garden Hotel, Babolat, Tyrecorp Inc., PVL Restaurant, Greenfield Marketers One, Mary Grace Foods Inc., Coca-Cola Philippines-FEMSA, Kraut Art Glass, Manuel Misa and lawyer Antonio Cablitas.

Meanwhile, two-time champion Clarice Patrimonio and four-time titlist Marian Jade Capadocia also moved into the semis of the ladies’ singles with lopsided victories. Patrimonio ripped Jhastine Red Ballado while Capadocia crushed Sydney Ezra Enriquez in similar 6-0, 6-0 routs.

The 23-year-old Patrimonio battles No. 4 Shaira Rivera, who nipped Rachelle De Guzman, 7-6 (5),7-5, as Capadocia clashes with Akiko De Guzman, who repulsed Khryzelle Sampaton, 6-4, 6-7 (0), 6-2.