Anasta struggles, squeezes past Tesorio

MANILA, Philippines - Second seed Vicente Anasta recovered from a second set meltdown to repulse unranked Kristian Tesorio and join the big guns into the second round of the third Cainta-Palawan Pawnshop Open Tennis Championships at Brookside Hills Tennis Club in Cainta, Rizal last Wednesday.

Anasta, coming off a straight-set loss to doubles partner Johnny Arcilla in last week’s Olivarez Cup finals, routed Tesorio in the opening frame but lost his touch and momentum in the next, paving the way for the decider.

But the veteran campaigner picked himself up in the third and reasserted his might from the seventh game en route to victory and a Last 16 clash with Joseph Arcilla, who won over Kim Saraza, 6-1, 3-0 (ret.), in the week-long event presented by Palawan Pawnshop and organized by the Brookside Hills Tennis Club in cooperation with the Cainta LGUs.

The top-seeded Johnny Arcilla, along with the rest of the fancied bets, rolled into the next round of the event backed by Babolat, beating Rollie Anasta, 6-1, 6-1, for a clash with Fritz Verdad, who subdued Stephen Pilares, 6-1, 6-2.

“We expect action to heat up with the favorites set to face off in the next round,” said Bobby Castro, COO of the sport’s chief backer.

No. 3 Patrick Tierro scored a walkover win over Calvin Canlas, fourth ranked Rolando Ruel Jr. trounced Arjohn Dela Cruz, 6-1, 6-3; fifth seed Alexander Lazaro downed Chat Conta, 6-3, 6-0; No. 6 Roel Capangpangan overpowered Romel Openiano, 6-4, 6-1; and seventh ranked Ronard Joven trampled Radharani Reyes, 6-1, 6-2.

Hostilities in the ladies side are also expected to be fierce with top seed Marinel Rudas taking on Hanna Grace Espinosa, No. 2 Clarice Patrimonio mixing it up with Ma. Dominique Ong, third ranked Marian Capadocia, winner of last week’s Olivarez Cup, colliding with April Santos, and No. 4 Alyssa Labay clashing with Jella Capadocia.