INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines--National team mainstays Johnny Arcilla and PJ Tierro easily hurdled their first round foes at the start of the Philippine Columbian Association Open tennis championships Saturday at the PCA indoor shellcourts.

Top seed and defending champion Arcilla bundled out Nick Magaway, 6-1, 6-0, to kick off his bid for a fifth singles title here, even as Tierro breezed past Philippine Lawn Tennis Association vice president Randy Villanueva.

Exhausted after going through the qualifying earlier, Villanueva lost the first set, 6-1, then retired while trailing 2-0 in the second set.

?I felt more comfortable and confident, especially coming from competitions abroad,? said the 29-year-old Arcilla, who just came from twin ITF Futures tourneys in India.

Arcilla, a long-time RP Davis Cup team member, will next battle Niño Salvador, who ousted Terence Estrope, 6-2, 6-3, in the event presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and sponsored by Pera Padala, Alagang Cebuana Plusm Just Jewels, Le Soleil de Boracay, Phiten, Accel, Coca Cola, Dunlop and San Miguel Corp.

Davis Cupper Elbert Anasta crushed Keff Gamana, 6-0, 6-1; national coach Cris Cuarto downed Johnwill Baldonado, 6-2, 6-2; RP coaching staff Roland Kraut bested Ronald Dazo, 7-6 (4), 6-2; and Ralph Kevin Barte drubbed Richard Inciong, 6-2, 6-1.

Also advancing to the next round were Lawrence Formentera, who ripped Alberto Villamor, 6-1, 6-1; Antonio Sagansay III, who bested age-grouper Jurence Zosimo Mendoza, 6-3, 6-3; Kyle Cordero, who blanked Isidore Lascuna, 6-0, 6-0; Ronard Joven, who trounced Charlie Niu, 6-1, 6-2; and Rolando Ruel Jr., who dominated Rommel Openiano, 6-0, 6-2.

Arvin Ruel outlasted Lolito Abadia, 4-6, 6-4, 5-4 (retired); Kenneth Salvo nipped Miguel Narvaez, 6-4, 6-4; Celestino Solon edged Roderick Agna, 7-6 (8), 6-0; Peter Egos thumped Michael Tamayo, 6-4, 6-3; and Pemrick Alina drubbed Gilbert Estrada, 6-0, 6-1.