De Castro, Guzman gain in PCA qualifier

Jandrick de Castro downed Martin Temblique, 8-1, and Ian de Guzman defeated Nestor Celestino Jr., 8-5, yesterday in the men’s singles second round qualifying of the P400,000 Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open Tennis Championships at the PCA outdoor courts.

De Castro will meet Art Thomas Calingasan, an 8-7 winner over Michael Mantua while De Guzman will face Edu Manzano, who beat Reynaldo Laroya, 8-7.

In other matches, Jovan Divinagracia trounced Noel Mendoza, 8-6, to advance against Edward Larriosa, an 8-2 winner over John Amita while Menandro Econg outclassed Renato Tarroza, 8-1 to advance against John Sabado, an 8-2 winner over Danilo Olosin.

Numero Lim, Jerry Nicol, Maclean Barraquias, Irvin Nicolas and Aguel Buday also earned second-round berths in this event presented by Dunlop and Accel with support from Chowking, Photokina, PBCom, San Miguel Corporation, Coca-Cola, PVL Restaurant-Little Lawrence, Toby’s, Copacabana, Trans Asia and The Philippine STAR.

Lim clobbered Gino Bautista, 8-3, Nicol whipped JV Cruz, 8-2, Barraquias won over Sidney Mella, 5-0 (ret), Nicolas conquered Marvin Espina, 8-6, and Buday outplayed Dennis Perida, 8-2. In an afternoon encounter, Kyle Dandan survived a tough Joey Escobido, 8-6.

Eight qualifiers will advance in the 64-man main draw which will start on Saturday (Nov. 16). The men’s singles champion will get P80,000 while the runner-up will receive P40,000. Other winners will earn P30,000 (women’s singles), P18,000 (men’s doubles) and P8,000 (women’s doubles).