Favorites PJ Tierro and Johnny Arcilla sustained their fiery forms even as unheralded Anna Christine Patrimonio pulled off another shock win to barge into the semifinals of the 28th Philippine Columbian Association Open at the Plaza Dilao shell courts in Paco, Manila.
Patrimonio, daughter of former PBA star Alvin, added second seed Michelle Pang to her list of victims with a 7-5, 6-1 victory yesterday to move into the next round of this meet presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and backed by The STAR.
That set up an interesting duel between Patrimonio, who trained for three years in Valencia, Spain, and former RP No. 1 third seed Czarina Mae Arevalo, who turned back No. 5 Bien Zoleta, 6-1, 6-3, tomorrow
And the one-day rest should give Patrimonio, who will turn 17 next month, some breather following six grueling sets she played Wednesday – one in the ITF-sanctioned event in the morning and the other a marathon 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 win against No. 8 Jessica Agra in the evening.
“I’m really tired after playing six sets, that’s the reason I was having cramps, I’m glad I have a day to rest,” said Patrimonio.
“I haven’t seen her (Patrimonio) play, we’ll see how it goes,” said Arevalo, who is on brief leave from her tennis scholarship at Bangkok University.
Tierro and Arcilla, played true to form by downing No. 5 Elbert Anasta, 7-5, 6-4, and No. 7 Alexander Lazaro, 6-3, 6-2, that kept their title bids on track in this event staking P100,000 to the men’s singles champion and P50,000 to the women’s winner.
“I hope to sustain my form and play better,” said the 22-year-old Tierro, who is looking to nail his first title in this annual tournament, the richest of all local tournaments.
Tierro will face former Davis Cupper Rolando Ruel Jr., who was ahead, 6-4, when younger brother Arvin retired in the second set, while Arcilla will tangle with the winner of the match pitting teenage sensation Francis Casey Alcantara against Ralph Kevin Barte, who were playing at press time.
Women’s top seed Bambi Zoleta likewise made it through after she downed a tired 15-year-old Anna Clarice Patrimonio, younger sister of Christine, 6-3, 6-2.
Thai Thasha Vitayviroj, Arevalo’s doubles partner, bucked an opening set loss by outlasting No. 4 Aileen Rogan, 26, 6-2, 6-2, to set up a semis meeting with Zoleta, who has yet to win here after three failed tries.