Defending champion Patrick John Tierro finally figured out the slippery court and demolished newcomer Ken Philip Paradela, 8-0, Friday in the 34th Philippine Columbian Association Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event at PCA Open clay courts in Manila.
Tierro, who snared the crown from eight-time champion Johnny Arcilla last year, progressed to the third round of the tournament where the finalists in the men’s singles earn automatic berths in the main draw of the Manila International Tennis Federation (ITF) Men’s Futures Leg 2 early October.
Unlike Tierro, who has solved the riddle of the refurbished court, Arcilla struggled at times before emerging with a 8-2 win over Laurence Joy Obdina.
“Almost all of us are adjusting with the new court. It’s difficult, the court is too slippery,” said the 35-year-old Arcilla in Filipino.
Fifth seed Rolando Ruel Jr. joined Tierro in the next phase after defeating Hans Asistio, 8-1, while ninth pick Marc Reyes and No. 15 Arcie Mano scored identical 8-1 victories over Bernardine Siso and Jason Timbal, respectively, in the event backed by Puma, Dunlop, Head, Babolat, Compass/Imosti and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.
Third-ranked Elbert Anasta, No. 4 Alberto Lim Jr., No. 8 Ronard Joven and No. 12 Roel Capangpangan also hurdled their first-round rivals.
Anasta toppled Jomari Guira, 8-2; Lim tripped Rey Mayo, 8-1; Joven survived Dave Mosqueda, 8-5; and Capangpangan pulled off an 8-4 triumph over Joshua Kinaadman.
The men’s singles champion will earn P50,000 while the losing finalist gets P25,000.
Semifinals and quarterfinalists will advance to the qualifying round of the Men’s Futures while only the winners in the doubles category will be given slots in the main draw. June Navarro
OTHER RESULTS: Joel Atienza d. Bernalou Bering, 8-5; Dheo Talatayod d. Jeric Delos Santos, 8-7; Argil Lance Canizares d. Raymund Malapitan, 8-0; Arjohn Dela Cruz d. Larius Laforteza, 8-4