Arcilla leads early Open winners in stormy Subic

Subic Bay Freeport Zone–Titleholder Johnny Arcilla pounded Mike Rivero of Subic Bay, 6-1,6-1, even as fourth seed Chiemel Mantua demolished St. Benilde’s John Ray Moreno, 6-3, 6-3, in men’s singles Monday at the start of the National Open Tennis Championships amid heavy rains at the Subic Bay International Tennis Center here.

The inclement weather forced games to be played indoor in this week-long tournament organized by the Subic Bay Sports Management Inc and ably supported by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority under chairman Tong Payumo.

Sponsors of this event which awards Philta ranking points for international representation are Union Bank of the Philippines, Adidas Phils, Cebuana Lhuillier, Dunlop-Slazenger Inc, HBC, Viva Mineral Water, Philippine Star, San Miguel Corporation, Chris Sports, Smart Addict Mobile Phones and Days Inn Suites.

Fresh from winning the Mandaluyong Open, Arcilla, the country’s leading player, hardly worked out a sweat in beating Rivero, who at 14 is the youngest entry in this Group I Philta event sanctioned by the ruling Philippine Tennis Association.

Also advancing was former Davis Cupper and 12th seed Beeyong Sison, who completed the day of the favorites with a 6-1, 6-0 triumph over Jeremy Durado of the Olongapo Tennis Club.

Surprise entry Harry Baumstark, a 35-year-old FedEx pilot based here, also had a breeze in the first round with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Aidan Moselino.

Baumstark is a staunch supporter of the SBITC, which also provides sports programs for foreign community living in the Freeport Zone on top of hosting high-impact events and training Filipino netters.

While Arcilla was routing the spirited Rivero with his powerful groundstrokes, Mantua, a Letran management graduate, used an array of shots to take the sting out of Moreno’s big serves.

Local wonder boy Patrick John Tierro and fellow Davis Cuppers Joseph Victorino and Rolando Ruel were scheduled to play at a later time.

The women’s singles first round is set today, with No. 1 Alyssa Labay and No. 2 Bien Zoleta leading the field.

Complete Results:

Riel Floreza def. George Rockwood 5-7, 6-4, 6-1; Alex Borela def. Emet Nieva 6-3, 6-2; Kyle Dandan def Nestor Celestino 7-6, 6-1; Raymond Villarete def. Johnny Mariano 6-0-, 6-0; Leo Laping def. Ricky Catito 7-6, 1-6, 6-4; Yannick Guba def Lawrence Magaway 6-3, 7-6; Ric Lagac (11) def Ryan Daza 6-0, 7-5.