Dalisay, Patrombon take openers in straight sets

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino-Spaniard Diego Dalisay and Jeson Patrombon hammered out straight-set wins over Rolando Ruel and Japanese Shu Saito, respectively,  in the opening round of the 34th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Cebuana Lhuillier ITF Men’s Futures 2 yesterday at the PCA clay courts in Paco, Manila.

The 16-year-old Dalisay outclassed Ruel, 6-1, 6-4, while the 22-year-old Patrombon overpowered Saito, 6-3, 6-3, to advance to the next round of the tourney supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop, The Philippine STAR, Head, Babolat, Compass/IMOSTI and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

“I’m in good shape and that makes me feel very confident on the court. Another thing is that I’m well familiar with his game,” said Patrombon, aiming to eclipse his second-round finish in Manila ITF Men’s Futures 1.

The Iligan-born Patrombon next faces Kunal Anand of India, 6-1, 6-4 upset winner over seventh seed Hiromasa Oku of Japan.

Dalisay, whose mother is from San Nicolas, Batangas, on the other hand, next plays Japanese fourth pick Arata Onozawa 6-0, 6-2 victor over local top-seed Patrick John Tierro.

Spain’s top pick Enrique Lopez-Perez and Australia’s second seed Harry Bourchier also sailed through the next round in the event sponsored by Whilpool/Fujidenzo, Broadway Motor Sales Corp. Coca-Cola Femsa Philippines, Tyrecorp Incorporated, Pearl Garden Hotel, Metro Global Holdings Corporation, Avida, PVL Restaurant, Mary Grace Foods, Inc., Seno Hardware and Wire Rope Corporation.

Lopez-Perez routed Chinese-Taipei’s Lee Kuan-Yi, 6-2, 6-0, while Bourchier survived Japanese foe Masato Shiga, 7-6, 7-5.

Eight-time PCA Open champion Johnny Arcilla, Australian Open juniors doubles titlist Francis Casey Alcantara, Elbert Anasta and Bryan Otico will take to the courts today in the qualifying round.

Arcilla will battle Chen Tin of Chinese-Taipei while Alcantara shows his wares against Ren Nakamura of Japan. Anasta and Otico will rely on their home court advantage against their Japanese opponents, No. 6 Makoto Ochi and Soichiro Moritani, respectively.

A total of $15,000 is up for grabs with the champ getting $2,160 while the runner-up takes home $1,272.