Top seeds Patrick John Tierro and Khim Iglupas disposed of their rivals in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Tuna Festival Open at Gen. Santos Tennis Court in Gen. Santos City Sunday.
Tierro, itching to redeem himself from a failed title bid in the recent Olivarez Open, knocked off wild card Andrei Domingo, 6-0, 6-1, then trounced Bernardine Siso, 6-3, 6-2, to arrange a Last 8 duel with Ronard Joven.
Joven, ranked seventh in the tournament presented by Technifibre, trounced Julius Mingoc, 6-2, 6-0, and Leander Lazaro, 6-2, 6-4, even as second seed Johnny Arcilla toppled Dominador Lagare, 6-1, 6-1, and Arniel Aya-ay, 6-1, 6-2, in the lower half of the 32-player draw of the event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association headed by president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.
Casey Alcantara, chasing a second straight Open crown after upending Tierro in the Olivarez Open, shut out No. 8 Arvin Ruel, 6-0, 6-0, for a crack at the semifinals against Fil-Italian No. 4 Marc Reyes, who thwarted Israel Abarquez, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
“We expect action to pick up in the quarters where surprises could come in bunches given the depth of the field in both sides,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.
Arcilla, a many-time PCA Open and three-time Olivarez Open champion, will next face sixth ranked Fritz Verdad, who scored a walkover win over Kenneth Salvo.
Third seed Vicente Anasta whipped Einathan Abella, 6-3, 6-2, to seal a clash with unranked Christian Edullantes, who scored a 1-6, 7-5, 4-0 (ret.) win over Lyndon Labandero.