Patrombon, Arcilla advance to third round

JESON Patrombon led the advance of top players yesterday in the men’s singles of the Olivarez-Philta Open tennis championships presented by Palawan Pawnshop Express Pera Padala at Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.

The 19-year-old Patrombon, the country’s highest ranked player and is 869th in the world, imposed himself on 14-year-old Alberto Lim Jr., 6-2, 6-2, to reach the third round.

Lim, who won the age-group Orange Bowl in Los Angeles last year, just can’t find an answer to Patrombon’s firepower in the hour-long battle between coach Manny Tecson’s wards.

Patrombon, seeing action in the tourney for the first time as a pro, will take on Fritz Verdad tomorrow. He is on a collision course with childhood rival Francis Casey Alcantara, the 2009 Australian Open junior doubles champ who was to face fellow Davis Cupper Rolando Ruel Jr. today.

Second seed Johnny Arcilla also progressed to the next round with a 6-1, 6-2 rout of Arc Dolorico. The 32-year-old Arcilla, six-time PCA Open champion and defending titlist here, will clash with Arvin Ruel with the winner going up against the victor of the Marc Reyes-Michael Mantua match.

Sharing the spotlight was 12-year-old Alexie Xira Santos who drubbed Monica Cruz to capture the girls’ 14-under championship to go with her 12-under title and 14-under doubles crown.