MANILA, Philippines -- Francis Casey Alcantara overcame a serious first set challenge from Joel Atienza to carve out a 6-4, 6-2 victory Sunday to advance to the fourth round of the 34th Philippine Columbian Association Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event held at the PCA's Plaza Dila clay courts in Paco, Manila.
After an anxious start that saw him battling Atienza's power serves and strong forehands, Alcantara, 23, found a way to overcome it by going to the net more often and making his inexperience foe run for the balls.
"He has a strong serve and forehand so I was forced to adjust my game a little by making him run for those balls," said Alcantara, now looking a little more mature after deciding to grow a beard.
There was some tense moments late in the opening set when Alcantara, a Communications Degree holder at Pepperdine, argued with the chair umpire before letting it go a few games after.
"It was northing. I was just trying to explain to him about I call I felt wasn't right," said Alcantara, whose most recent victory before this event was his title run in the Olivarez Cup two months ago.
Alcantara thus set up a duel with the winner of Roel Capangpangan-Kristian Tezero duel of this events sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop, The Philippine Star, Head, Babolat, Compass/IMOSTI at Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.
Ageless Johny Arcilla waylaid Abson John Alejandre, 6-1, 6-0, to stay on course to improve his tournament-leading eight championships.
The 35-year-old Arcilla will play Arhtur Craig Pantino, who downed Kyle Parpan, 5-7, 6-2. 6-0, in the next round.
Also getting through were No. 5 Rolando Ruel, Jr., and Ronard Joven.
Ruel overcame Leander Lazaro with a thrilling 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, while Joven waylaif Raymund Diaz, 6-1, 6-2.
Noel Damian, Jr. sent shockwaves down the tournament area with a stunning 6-7 (8), 6-1, 6-2, triumph over No. 15 Arcie Mano, 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 at Wire Rope Corporation.
The finalists in the men’s singles will earn berths in the main draw of the 2015 Manila International Tennis Federation (ITF) Men’s Futures Leg 2 starting Oct. 2, while the players who make it into the quarterfinals and semifinals will clinch berths in the qualifying round. Only the winners in the doubles division will be given spots in the ITF main 16-pair main draw.
A total of P172,000 is up for grabs with the men’s singles winner receiving P50,000 and runner-up P25,000. The ladies singles titlist and runner-up will get P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.