Vicencio, Saraza survive rash of PCA Open junior upsets

Top seeds Mikaela Vicencio and Chloe Mae Saraza lived up yesterday to their lofty ranking in their respective age-group divisions in the 33rd Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and Metro Global Holdings at PCA indoor shell-clay courts in Manila.

Vicencio survived a tough fight in the girls’ 14-under singles finals before downing a gutsy Jackie Tan-Ho, 6-4, 6-4, while Saraza recovered just in time to repel Angela Cabral, 6-0, 4-6, 6-1, and annex the girls’ 16-U crown.

But the upset ax fell in other divisions with Jose Maria Pague outlasting No. 3 Janus Ringia, 2-6, 6-4, 5-4 (ret.) for the boys’ 14-U top prize. Ringia suffered cramps and failed to finish the match.

Also toppling their seeded foes for the titles were Daniel Estanislao III in boys’ 12-U, Brent Sigmond Cortes in 10-U unisex and Alexandra Eala in girls’ 12-U.

Estanislao stunned No. 2 pick Aljon Talotayod, 6-2, 6-3, while Cortes downed third seed Rupert Ohrelle Tortal, 2-4, 4-0, 5-4 (7-5). Eala disposed of top seed Miles Vitaliano, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1.

Cortes made it a double whammy by teaming up with Prince Najeeb Langitao in beating Miguel Luis Vicencio and Minette Bentillo, 8-7 (8-6).

Eala also scored in  the girls’ 14-U doubles, pairing with Saraza to claim the title over top picks Vicencio and Melanie Dizon, 8-4.