With everyone else wanting to end his dynasty in men’s singles, Johnny Arcilla is making sure he doesn’t get burned out this early in the Philippine Columbian Association Open tennis championships.
Working with long-time hitting partner Kyle Joshua Dandan, the duo dumped Joshua Miranda and Dennis Vitaliano, 6-0, 6-0, to move to the next round of the men’s doubles.
“We needed to finish it early because I wanted to save energy for the second round tomorrow,” said the 34-year-old Arcilla, the eighth-time singles champion. “I know Kyle very well and we have great chemistry.”
The hitting partners wrapped up the match in 30 minutes to lead the winners in the tournament presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and Metro Global Holdings at the PCA shell-clay indoor courts.
Arcilla and Dandan will next take on Leo Toledo and Bernan Bering who had an even easier time advancing when their opponents Rodolfo Barquin and Joshua Kinaadman failed to show up.
Last year’s champions Patrick John Tierro and Ronard Joven also advanced via walkover over Iñigo Caguiron and Butch Mejico. They next battle Jun Cortez and Jet Tangalin, 6-1, 6-3 winners over Al Khaidi Jainul and Wilson Oblea.
Jomar Arcilla, Johnny’s younger brother, teamed up with Roel Capampangan to outlast Jeric Accion and Andrew Tangalin, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, while John Altiche and Jason Benitez bested Russel Arcilla Jr., and Israel Abarquez, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4).
Also making the next round were Roderick Agna and Danilo Olosin who drubbed Bernio Bering and Randy Delavin, 6-3, 6-2; Akio Sy and Ernesto Pantua who thumped Jhun Llira and Aeron Empleo, 6-3, 6-0; and Hakeem Cariga and Francisco Santos who routed Paulo Baran and Carlos Rosales, 6-2, 6-2.
Other tournament supporters: world boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, Dunlop, Fujidenzo/Whirlpool, Babolat, Head, Accel, Malate Bayview Mansion, Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils. Inc., Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company Inc. and Seno Hardware.