Tierro advances in PCA Open

MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion PJ Tierro blanked Philip Paradela, 8-0, to advance to the third round of the 34th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event at the PCA's Plaza Dilao clay courts in Paco, Manila.

Eight-time PCA titlist Johnny Arcilla also bared his fangs after he dumped Laurence Joy Obdina, 8-2, to fan his hopes of regaining the title he lost to Tierro after a heartbreaking 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3 defeat in last year's finals.

Tierro faces off with the winner of the second round duel between Gabby Gatchalian and Neil Tangalin while Arcilla tackles the winner of the first round match between Chris Justine Prulla and Betto Orendain.

"I'm hoping to have a good tournament," said Arcilla, who is coming off a morale-boosting win in the Tunafest Open crown in General Santos City two weeks ago, in Filipino.

Fifth seed Rolando Ruel, Jr. slammed Hans Asistio and ninth pick Marc Reyes smashed Bernardine Siso via the same 8-1 scores to also advance to the next round of the event supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop, Philippine Star, Head, Babolat, Compass/IMOSTI and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

ITF juniors campaigner and fourth pick AJ Lim, Jr. overpowered Rey Mayo, 8-1, to also surge ahead in the tournament sponsored by Whilpool/Fujidenzo, Broadway Motor Sales Corp. Coca-Cola Fesma Philippines, Tyrecorp Incorporated, Pearl Garden Hotel, Metro Global Holdings Corporation, Avida, PVL Restaurant, Mary Grace Foods, Inc., Seno Hardware and Wire Rope Corporation.

No. 3 Elbert Anasta, No. 8 Ronard Joven, No. 12 Roel Capangpangan and No. 15 Arcie Mano also made it through the first round.

Anasta defeated Jomari Guira, 8-2; Joven turned back Dave Mosqueda, 8-5; Capangpangan trounced Joshua Kinaadman, 8-4; and Mano waylaid Jason Timbal, 8-1.

Other first round winners were Joel Atienza against Bernanlou Bering, 8-5, Dheo Talatayod versus Jeric Delos Santos, 8-7, Argil Lance Canizares over Raymund Malapitan, 8-0 and Arjohn Dela Cruz versus Larius Laforteza, 8-4.

The finalists in the men’s singles and the doubles champion will earn automatic berths in the main draw of the upcoming 2015 Manila International Tennis Federation (ITF) Men’s Futures Leg 2 slated on October 2.

The losing quarterfinals and semifinals, for their part,  will gain outright spots in the qualifying round.

A total of P172,000 is up for grabs this year with the men’s single champ taking the top purse of P50,000, while the runner-up gets P25,000. The ladies singles titlist and runner-up will take home P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.