Unheralded bets prevail in PCA Open

MANILA, Philippines - Rankings flew out of the window as unheralded Jose Maria Pague and fifth seed Brent Signmond Cortes ousted their top-seeded rivals yesterday to claim their seats in the finals of the 33rd Philippine Columbian Association Open presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and Metro Global Holdings at the PCA indoor shell clay courts in Paco, Manila.

Pague shocked top seed Marcus del Rosario, 6-3, 6-4, in the boys’ 14-under division to arrange a title showdown today with  third pick Janus Ringia, who upset No. 2 Stephan Lhuillier, 6-3, 6-3.

Cortes  held his ground against No. 1 Miguel Luis Vicencio, 4-2, 4-2, to reach the 10-under unisex finals against No. 3 Rupert Ohrelle Tortal who defeated second seed Rafael Liangco, 5-3, 4-2.

It was a different story for top seeds Miles Vitaliano and Mikaela Vicencio, who set up their respective finals matches in the girls division.

Vitaliano, who turned back No. 4 Lourdes Pe, 6-2, 6-4, will face second seed Alexandra Eala in the 12-under finals. Eala had it easy with a walkover against Denise Bernardo.

Meanwhile, Vicencio disposed of Blanche Lagrisola, 6-4, 6-1, en route to the finals in the 14-under category. Vicencio will battle the victor in the match between Maxine Martine and Jackie Tan Ho.

In the girls’ 16-under, unseeded Angela Cabaral held off No. 2 Toni Rose Raymundo, 6-3, 6-3, to secure the first finals slot. Cabaral will meet the winner in the matchup between top seed Chloe Mae Saraza and Nica Alanis.

The semifinals continue today with matches featuring Vincent Alanis against Jake Martin and Cenon Gonzales Jr. against Fernando Arguelles in the boys’ 16-under; and Chris Justine Prulla-Argil Lance Canizares, and Joshua Cano-Marcen Angelo Gonzales in the boys’ 18-under.

The event is also sponsored by United Auctioneers Inc. Foton, Philippine Sports Commission, TLH Sports and Wellness Center/Solinco, Avida Land Corporation, Stronghold Insurance, Ryobi MHI and GMA 7 and supported by Dunlop, Fujidenzo/Whirlpool, Babolat, Manny Pacquiao, Head, Accel, Malate Bayview Mansion, Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils. Inc., Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company Inc. and Seno Hardware.