Arcilla, Tierro sweep past opening rivals

JOHNNY Arcilla and Patrick John Tierro launched their campaign in impressive fashion by blasting  their respective opponents yesterday in the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open tennis presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and Metro Holdings.

The eight-time champion Arcilla gave up just a point in whipping Kyle Joseph, 6-1, 6-0,  while the top seed Tierro, who last year reinvigorated his career with titles and stints in PH team, used his experience to overpower age-group prized find and reigning 18-under champion Joshua Cano, 6-2, 6-4.

At 34, Arcilla is considered the grand old man of the soft, slow and slippery PCA shell-clay courts, but nobody has yet to challenge his domination in the 33-year-old event.

Gunning for a third straight crown, Arcilla was earlier paired with Miguel dela Paz, who was replaced at the last minute by Joseph, who was outclassed just the same.

“I just take it one day at a time. It’s hard if you look past the rest of the main draw,” said the 34-year-old veteran Davis Cupper in Filipino. At second seed, he is playing in the same bracket as feisty 17-year-old Albert Lim Jr., and fellow Cupper Elbert Anasta.

Arcilla will next face the winner of the Kyle Parpan-Albert Villamor match still being played at presstime.

Tierro will square off with either Abdulqouhar Allian or Marcen Gonzales.

Also marching to the second round were third seed and two-time runner-up Marc Reyes, No. 9 pick Ronard Joven, Arcie Mano, Arc Dolorito, Rollie Anasta and Expedito Lim Jr.

Reyes whipped John Jeric Accion, 6-0, 6-2; Joven routed Jose Nicholas Cano, 6-1, 6-0; Mano edged John Altiche, 6-4, 6-7 (7-5), 6-4; Dolorito outlasted Chris Justine Prulla, 4-6, 6-0, 6-1; Anasta bested John Angelo Cerezo, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0; and Lim ousted Inigo Caguiron, 6-4, 7-5.

The tourney is supported by Dunlop, Fujidenzo/Whirlpool, Babolat, Hon. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, Head, Accel, Malate Bayview Mansion, Coca Cola, Philippine Prudential Life Insurance and Seno Hardware.