FILIPINO-Spaniard Diego Dalisay and Jeson Patrombon roared to a strong start as they advanced into the second round of the 34th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Cebuana Lhuillier ITF Men’s Futures 2 at the PCA clay courts in Paco, Manila.
The 16-year-old Dalisay outclassed fellow local bet Rolando Ruel, 6-1, 6-4, while Patrombon hammered out a 6-3, 6-3 victory overJapanese rival Shu Saito.
“Maganda ang kundisyon ko ngayon kaya confident ako sa loob ng court. Kabisado ko rin kasi ang laro niya [Saito] kaya alam ko kung saan dadalhin ‘yung bola,” said the 22-year-old Patrombon, who is aiming to eclipse his second-round finish in the Manila ITF Men’s Futures 1.
The Iligan-born Patrombon will face Kunal Anand in the second round after the India native shocked seventh seed Hiromasa Oku of Japan, 6-1, 6-4, in the tournament supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop, The Philippine Star, Head, Babolat, Compass/IMOSTI and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.
Dalisay, whose mother is from San Nicolas, Batangas, also has a daunting task ahead as he squares off with fourth pick Arata Onozawa of Japan, who annihilated local top-seed Patrick John Tierro, 6-0, 6-2.
Spain’s top pick Enrique Lopez-Perez and Australia’s second seed Harry Bourchier also sailed through the next round via contrasting wins 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 barely broke a sweat against Chinese-Taipei’s Lee Kuan-Yi, 6-2, 6-0. Bourchier, on the other hand, turned back resilient Japanese foe Masato Shiga, 7-6 (4), 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 Wednesday in the qualifying round.
Arcilla will battle Chen Tin of Chinese-Taipei, Alcantara shows his wares against Ren Nakamura of Japan, while 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 in the meet, with the champ getting $2,160 while the runner-up takes home $1,272.
Source: Spin.ph