Arcilla opens PCA Open bid with blast

Last year’s finalists Chung Hee Seok of Korea and Johnny Arcilla of the Philippines hurdled their first round rivals to put their respective campaigns off to a running start in the 23rd PCA Open men’s singles yesterday at the Philippine Columbian Association shell courts in Paco, Manila.

Chung, who defeated Arcilla for the title last year, asserted his mastery over lowly local bet Jaime Solon, 6-0, 6-1, while a cold-starting Arcilla repulsed wildcard Ruel Rubillar, 6-4, 6-2, to lead the opening day winners.

Also winning their first-round matches were Leo Laping, Miguel Narvaez, Virgilio Sison, qualifier Aguel Buday, sixth seed Chimiel Mantua, Mario Sabas, Pablo Olivarez II, Nino Salvador and Koreans Kim II Hae and Chung Eui Yun.

Presented by Gov. Muslim "Wahab" Akbar, the 23rd PCA Open is sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier, Solar Sports, Diadora, NYK Japan, Cel, Tobi, Dunlop, Mercury Steamship, Coca-Cola, Sun Village Resort, Phil. Daily Inquirer, Equitable PCIBank, San Miguel Beer, PVL Restaurant, Little Lawrence, Burlington, Copacabana, Phil. STAR, Las Palmas Travel, Mils, TMS Ship and Stronghold Insurance.

Laping scored a 6-4, 6-2 win over Gabriel Gatchalian, Narvaez pulled off a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Nestor Celestino Jr., Sison posted a 6-0, 6-3 win triumph over Ed Angelo Diez, 6-0, 6-3, while Buday managed a 6-3, 2-6, 4-2 (retired) win over Inigo Caguiron.

Mantua defeated Juvan Divinagracia (6-3, 6-1), Sabas trounced Nico Faller (7-5, 6-0), Olivarez beat Jayson Benitez (6-4, 3-6, 6-4), Salvador nipped Joseph Arcilla (6-2, 6-4), Chung bested Michael Tenoria (4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-0) and Kim stopped Arvin Jurao (6-2, 6-4).

The 28-year-old Chung, Korea’s No. 2 player and veteran Asian circuit campaigner, expressed confidence he can retain the crown considering that he came from a victory in Indonesia.

Arcilla, the top ranked Filipino at 24, said Chung is still the man to beat although he is also coming from a successful stint in San Pablo City last year. In fact, Arcilla is looking for an eight straight tournament championship this year.

Women’s side will begin tomorrow with the Filipinas led by No. 1 Czarina Mae Arevalo going up against Koreans and Fil-foreign opponents.