Tierro-Reyes cruises in PCA Open doubles

MANILA, Philippines - Top seeds PJ Tierro and Mark Reyes made short work of qualifiers Crisanto Catacutan and Jeffrey Villanueva, 6-0, 6-1, to lead the march of  favorites into the men’s doubles’ second round of the 32nd PCA Open tennis championships yesterday at the PCA Sports Club in Paco, Manila.

Living up to their billing, Tierro and Reyes imposed their will against their opponents and proved unstoppable in landing clean shots all over to complete the near-shutout in just about 40 minutes.

This they did despite Tierro still somehow favoring his right ankle, which he sprained during Friday’s practice.

“Okay na kaunti ang ankle ko. I can move with ease, hindi tulad nung first day na bothered ako at medyo takot tumakbo (My foot is better now and I can move with greater ease, unlike in last Saturday’s opening singles, where it was bothering me),” he said.

It was a good workout for the fancied duo before they resume their respective campaigns in the men’s singles division today. Tierro, the No. 2 seed in singles, takes on qualifier Andre Banate in the second round while Fil-Italian Reyes faces Rollyto Litang.

Tierro and Reyes were joined in the doubles Last-32 by their fellow seeded pairs, including second-ranked Leander Lazaro and Ronard Joven and No. 4 Johnny Arcilla and Kyle Dandan, who similarly didn’t break a sweat as they gained from the non-appearance of their first-round opponents. 

Fifth seed Marc Alcoseba and Jeson Patrombon scored a 6-2, 6-3 disposal of Gregorio Bilog and Anton Punzalan to enter the next phase, along with No. 7 AJ Lim and Raymond Diaz, who overcame a 2-4 deficit in the second set before securing a 6-4, 6-4 verdict over unseeded Francis Jeff Patinio and Francisco Santos.

No. 8 Fritz Verdad and Al Michael Madrio waylaid Ken Narvasa and Reynaldo Mariano, 6-0, 6-1; No. 10 Kim Saraza and Kenneth Salvo beat Abdulqoahar Allian and Kyle Cordero, 6-3, 6-3, and 14th-ranked Eric Olivarez, Jr, and Vince Salas dominated Andrew Tangalin and Jordan Villanueva, 6-1, 6-3, to advance.

Also through to the Last-32 were qualifiers Punch Dee and Eduardo Manzano, 6-4, 6-2 winner over Delmer Miranda and Butch Mejico; Expedito Lim Jr. and Bobby Labrador, 6-1, 6-0 victor over Joaquin Paras and Johann Exconde; and Jet Tangalin and Jun Cortez, 6-2, 6-1 conqueror of Charlie Ensomo and Alex Thomas; Ernesto Pantua and Roland Kraut, 6-3, 6-0 winner over Arthur Tafalla and Ben Ramolete; and Al Khady Jainul and Wilson Oblea, 6-2, 6-3 victor over Roberto Ortellano and Prince Salvacion.