Vitaliano, Eala romp to PCA girls semis

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Miles Vitaliano and No. 2 Alexandra Eala posted lopsided wins over their respective rivals to cruise into the girls’ 12-under semifinals of the 33rd PCA Open at the PCA indoor shell clay courts in Paco, Manila yesterday.

Vitaliano slammed Justine Hannah Maneja, 6-0, 6-0, while Eala crushed Justine Red Ballado, 6-1, 6-0, to advance to the Final Four along with third pick Denise Bernardo and No. 4 Lourdes Pe, who eased out Julia Ignacio, 6-1, 6-0, and Gaby Zoleta, 7-5, 6-1, respectively.

Vitaliano will take on Pe while Eala battles Bernardo for berths in the finals.

In the boys’ 18-under, No. 1 Marcen Angelo Gonzales and sixth-seed Joshua Cano also blazed into the semis with two straight victories. Gonzales downed John Jennete Arandia, 6-1, 6-0, following his win over Kyle Parpan, 6-0, 6-4, while Cano routed John Karl Bayot, 6-0, 6-0, after bundling out sibling Jose Nicholas, 6-4, 6-3.

Gonzales and Cano will face off today for a spot in the championship of the event’s premier class.

Focus will also be on the top bets from Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, National University, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines and University of the East, who will be clashing in the Inter-Collegiate event.

The Patrimonio sisters – Christine and Clarice – will spearhead the NU Lady Bulldogs’ bid while former junior standout Marinel Rudas will lead the La Salle Lady Archers’ title drive.