MANILA, Philippines – Johnny Arcilla blanked Alberto Villamor, 6-0, 6-0, and PJ Tierro turned back Macren Angelo Gonzalez, 6-4, 6-3, on Monday to advance to the third round in the men's singles of the 33rd PCA Open at its Plaza Dilao courts.
The pair of wins sent Arcilla and Tierro, both tipped to battle it out for this year's title, into the second round where they are expected to continue to cruise along in this tournament presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and Metro Global Holdings.
Second seed Arcilla, 34, next clashes with Jed Olivarez, who stole some of the spotlight by bringing down 14th seed Dheo Talatayod, 6-2, 6-2, while top pick Tierro, 29, battles Bernardine Siso, who edged fellow qualifier Angelo Esguerra, 7-6(5), 6-2.
Arcilla later said the road to a historic ninth PCA Open crown gets tougher and more treacherous from this round.
"I committed less mistakes in this match that's why it was a little quick," said Arcilla in Filipino. "This is helpful because it gives me extra rest going into matches ahead, which I expect to get tougher."
While Arcilla had a relatively easy time, Tierro found all sorts of trouble against a young but stubborn Gonzales.
"He (Gonzales) played aggressively and kept hitting those shots," said Tierro, who is eyeing to break a drought by winning this year's PCA edition.
"Good thing I used my experience and found a way to beat him," added Tierro in this weeklong event is being 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.
Also moving ahead were last year's losing finalist No. 3 Marc Anthony Reyes, No. 5 Rolando Ruel, Jr., No. 6 AJ Lim and No. 7 Marc Alcoseba.
Reyes smashed Bernan Lou Bering, 6-3, 6-0; Ruel downed Jigo Pena, 6-4, 6-2; Lim clobbered Fritz Verdad, 6-0, 6-1; and Alcoseba waylaid Rommel Openiano, 6-2, 6-4.
Arvin Ruel and Ronald Joven also joined the seeded netters in the next round after hurdling Kristian Tesorio, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, and Roderick Agna, 6-3, 6-1, in this meet supported by United Auctioneers Inc. Foton, PSC, TLH Sports & Wellness Center/Solinco, Avida Land Corporation, Stronghold Insurance, Ryobi MHI, GMA 7 and TV 5.
Reigning women's champion Marian Jade Capadocia, for her part, tackles Angela Cabaral today while sisters Clarice and Christine Patrimonio, daughter of PBA legend Alvin, are paired with Anna Vienna Bienes and Chloe Mae Saraza, respectively.
The third round in the men’s singles event will take place on Wednesday, November 19, as the women battle it out in the singles division.