Clarice and Christine Patrimonio. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ALANAH TORRALBA
Famous for their athletic pedigree, siblings Clarice and Christine Patrimonio are craving to convert their built-in celebrity status into something they haven’t experienced in the Philippine Columbian Open.
The top-ranked Clarice faces Erika Manduriao and seventh seed Christine meets Kimberly Keethler as the chase for the ladies singles crown of the 34th PCA Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event begins Tuesday.
Daughters of basketball legend and four-time PBA MVP Alvin Patrimonio, Clarice and the older Christine have yet to bring home a PCA title and are now determined to end the stigma following last year’s quarterfinal exits.
At that time, Clarice got frustrated by Hannah Grace Espinosa, 6-7 (0), 6-2, 3-6 while 2014 champion Marian Jade Capadocia cut Christine’s path way to the semifinals with an 1-6, 4-6 victory.
Capadocia won’t be able to defend the title this year after failing to meet the registration deadline of the tournament supported by Puma, Dunlop, Head, Babolat, Compass/Imosti, Sarangani representative Manny Pacquiao, Mary Grace Foods, Inc., Whirlpool/Fujidenzo, Tyrecorp Incorporated and Pearl Garden Hotel.
Out to grab a tinge of the limelight from the Patrimonio sisters are No. 2 seed Marinel Rudas and other highly touted players such as Edilyn Balanga, Maia Balce, Sjaira Hope Rivera and Rafaella Villanueva.
Rudas will begin her title bid in the first round against Jana Exconde, Balanga will slug it out against Precian Ever Rivera, Espinosa faces Monica Cortez, Balce takes on Princess Castillo and Rivera duels with Ana Atangan.
Action in men’s singles took a breather Monday and will resume Wednesday to allow men’s doubles play to take centerstage.
Eighth seed Leander Lazaro and Marc Reyes subdued the tandem of Paolo Baran and Jeric Delos Santos, 6-2, 6-4, to advance in the second round while Andrew Tangalin and Jordan Villanueva also progressed with a methodical 6-3, 6-1 win over Renoso Valderama and Anthony Morante.
Recovering from shaky start, Jimmy Tangalin and Marvelous Cortez toppled Arc Dolorito and Wilson Oblea, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 10-5, after Francis Dominic and Dave Mosqueda scored a 6-3, 6-1 triumph against Lanzado Lawrence Obdina and Mark Clarence Cabahug.
The No. 1 pair of Patrick John Tierro and Johnny Arcilla drew an opening-round bye as well as the second seed duo of Marc Alcoseba and Elbert Anasta, third-ranked Ronard Joven and Francis Casey Alcantara and No. 4 Joseph Arcilla and Roel Capangpangan.