Alcantara shows ‘em who’s better

IN A battle between the country’s two tennis aces, Francis Casey Alcantara turned out to be the better player.

Alcantara, the wild-card entry who has had a successful stint in the United States collegiate circuit, outlasted his long-time rival Jeson Patrombon, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), yesterday to barge into the semifinals of the Olivarez-Philta Open Tennis Championships presented by Palawan Pawnshop Express Pera Padala.

The 20-year-old Alcantara, the 2009 Australian Open junior doubles champion, and the top-seeded Patrombon, the country’s highest ranked player at world No. 889, regaled the crowd in their two-hour, 35-minute combat.

“It was a hard victory but a very good match that brought out the best in me,” said Alcantara, who is eyeing a slot in the Pepperdine University team after bringing Fresno State to the top 16 in the US NCAA Division I.

He will next face Vicente Anasta, who booted out former PCA Open champion Joseph Victorino, 6-1, 6-1.

Patrick John Tierro, outlasted Alexander lazaro, 6-4, 7-5, and advanced to the semifinals against the winner of the match between Johnny Arcilla and Marc Reyes.

Top seed Clarice Patrimonio clobbered Akiko de Guzman, 6-1, 6-1, to gain the semifinals in ladies singles. She will take on third seed Aileen Rogan, who survived No. 8 Maika Jae Tanpoco, 6-4, 6-4.

Second seed Marinel Rudas breezed past Jzach Canja, 6-1, 6-0, and set up a semifinal match with No. 4 Alyssa Labay, a 1-6, 4-3 (retired) winner over an ailing Christine Patrimonio.