But as the junior players made their presence felt, old guards Frank Paguyo, Russell Arcilla Sr., Aldin Lu, Ivan Torrecampo, Inigo Cageron and Aldrin Geluz kept the flame for the seniors with contrasting win over separate rivals.
Favored netters Alexander Lazaro and Rico Gonzales started their respective quest with victories over Ian de Guzman, 8-2 and Gerry Monsanto, 8-3, respectively, in the Philta Open offering P200,000 in total prize money bankrolled by Philta chairman Dr. Pablo Olivarez and supported by Stronghold Insurance and Wilson balls.
In a pair of late evening matches last Sunday, Agnel Buday’s perseverance paid off against Juancho Botor who lost stem in the crucial endgame after leading most of the way en route to an exciting 8-6 triumph; while jojo Nicdao slammed Jeff Lee 8-5.