Patrick John Tierro conquered Renz Lapating, 8-3, Thursday despite displaying uneasiness on the clay courts in the 34th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Cebuana Lhuillier wild-card event at PCA courts in Paco, Manila.
“This court (clay court) is slower compared to the court (shell clay court) where we used to play,” said the defending champion Tierro.
But the 30-year-old veteran can’t afford to fret in the succeeding matches if he wants a title repeat over the seasoned Johnny Arcilla. Tierro next faces Ken Philip Pardela, an 8-5 winner over Francis Segumpan.
Automatic spots in the main draw of the 2015 Manila International Tennis Federation (ITF) Men’s Futures Leg 2 in October will be awarded to the finalists in the men’s singles, with the semifinalists and quarterfinalists gaining access to the qualifying round.
Eight-time PCA winner Arcilla opens his bid today along with former Australian Open junior doubles champion Francis Casey Alcantara and ITF junior standout Alberto Lim Jr.
Arcilla faces Laurence Obdina right after Lim takes on Rey Mayo at 11 a.m. Alcantara collides with Dale Gorospe in the afternoon.
Jake Martin, Francis Jeff Pantino, James Sumaylo, Francis Dominic Lanzado, Carl Ubalde, Francis Edilbert Alcantara, John Jeric Accion and Dale Gorospe also have made it to the main draw. June Navarro
Other results: Martin d. Andrew Tangalin, 8-4; Pantino d. Jeremiah Latorre, 8-5; Sumaylo d. Ronald Roces, 8-5; Lanzado d. Marc Concepcion, by walkover; Ubalde d. Joen Mendoza, 8-0; Alcantara d. Rodolfo Agna, 8-2; Accion d. Jaffary Cariga, 8-0; Gorospe d. Dave Bienes, 8-3.