Mendoza pulls off PCA Open shocker

MANILA, Philippines - Jurence Mendoza fought back from a set down to stun second seed Elbert Anasta, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, and barge into the quarterfinal round of the 30th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open at the PCA indoor shell clay court in Paco, Manila yesterday.

Mendoza, 15, settled down after an erratic first set stint, surprising the veteran Anasta with solid baseline shots and consistent game to pull off the surprise win.

“I made too many errors in the first set. He has a strong serve with good baseline shots. But I played a more consistent game in the last two sets,” said Mendoza, who recently ruled the Vietnam International Junior Championships Prudential Cup-Bac Lieu tournament.

Mendoza will face the winner in the match between No. 6 Ralph Kevin Barte and Arcie Mano.

Top seed Johnny Arcilla, meanwhile, clinched a seat in the Last 8 with a 6-0, 6-2 rout of Antonio Quiza to set up a clash with Alexander Lazaro, who defeated Roel Campampangan, 6-1, 6-0.

The Ruel brothers also made it into the next round with Rolando Ruel Jr. wiping out Antonio Sagansay III, 6-0, 6-0, and Arvin Ruel defeating Fritz Verdad, 6-2, 6-1.

The brothers are set to face each other in the quarterfinals of the tournament presented by Cebuana Lhuillier.

In ladies play, unseeded Maika Tanpoco also shocked third pick Aileen Rogan, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, for a quarterfinals clash with No. 5 Tamitha Nguyen.

Nguyen made short work of Melissa Esguerra, 6-0, 6-0.

Also making it to the quarters are Mariel Ante and Martina Guba, who prevailed over Alyssa Labay, 6-3, 6-1, and Roxanne Resma, 6-1, 6-1, respectively.

Second seed Marian Jade Capadocia and Louise Lopez sailed into the next round with walkover wins against Maia Bernadette Balce and fourth seed Bambi Zoleta.

The tournament is supported by Alagang Cebuana Plus, Just Jewels, Le Soleil De Boracay, Phiten, Pera Padala, Babolat, Head, Dunlop, PVL Restaurant, Whirlpool, Coca-Cola, San Miguel, Lizardo Tennis Academy, Tennis Athletes Unlimited, Phil. Prudential Life Insurance Co., Inc., Gilmore and PLDT.